Planting an apricot tree: instructions & professional tips

Sweet apricots are a real treat, especially in summer. We show you how easy it is to plant your own apricot tree in just a few steps.

Already in ancient times the apricot (Prunus armeniaca) known in Armenia, hence the appropriate botanical name. In the Bavarian-Austrian language area it is also called "Marille". Today, the popular stone fruit is mainly grown in Mediterranean countries such as Italy and Spain. If you don't want to do without the sweet, yellow-orange fruits in summer, you can easily plant an apricot tree in your own garden.

When planting fruit trees, there are a few important aspects to consider. For example, the right plant material and suitable site conditions are of great importance for successful growth. Below we give you a step-by-step guide on how best to proceed when planting an apricot tree.

Buying an apricot tree: in pots or in balls?

Before planting, you should ask nurseries about their experience with the desired variety and check whether it is adapted to the site conditions in your garden. Most of these fruit trees are sold in bales or in containers.
The difference lies in the cultivation. Baled goods are on the field and are only cut out with a ball of earth and packed before the order is placed. As a rule, these trees grow well, since only a small part of the root mass is lost during transplanting. However, most nurseries only offer bales in early spring or autumn. In contrast, container goods are available all year round. Here, the plants are grown in a container (or bucket) in which they are then sold. As a result, no root mass is lost through the digging out and the plant is already developing in the very well for the first year as they don't expend any energy on regrowing the lost root mass got to.

Tip from the pro: The root wrapping of baled goods, the so-called bale cloth, protects the plant from drying out. If you plan to plant later, you can open the packaging, moisten the roots and reseal the packaging tightly against the trunk. In this way, the tree can be stored undamaged in a protected, cool place for a few days.

When to plant the apricot tree?

It is best to plant apricot trees in autumn (October/November). This allows the roots to develop and spread over the winter. Alternatively, it can also be planted in spring (March/April) after the winter frost. At this time, the mostly cheaper bale goods are also available. However, when planting in spring, pay particular attention to ensuring that the young tree is sufficiently watered.

Tip from the pro: Apricot trees can also be grown wonderfully as trellis fruit on house walls. This protects them from frost in colder climates.

Instructions for planting an apricot tree

In the following section we will explain how to best proceed when planting an apricot tree.

Materials needed to plant the apricot tree

You need the following utensils for planting an apricot tree:

• spade, shovel, hoe
• support pole, binding material
• hammer, secateurs
• potting soil, compost
• Trunk protection, coconut mat

Choose a suitable location for the apricot tree

It is best to choose the right location right away, because the apricot tree does not tolerate a later transplant. The tree tolerates neither too dry nor too wet soil. Therefore, clay and loess soils with a high humus content are best suited. The ideal location for an apricot tree should be sunny, warm and sheltered from the wind. Sufficient sun protection in spring also ensures that budding does not occur too early and that there is no frost damage to the flowers.

Dig a planting hole for the apricot tree

Once a suitable location has been found, the planting hole can be dug. Make sure there is sufficient distance to other trees so that the mature apricot trees have enough space later. The planting hole should be dug about a third deeper than the root ball of the tree. Then loosen the soil at the bottom of the planting hole with a hoe twice as deep as the pot is high.

Install support stake for apricot tree

Once the soil has been loosened, you can provide the planting hole with a support post. This should be about the same height as the trunk and should be hammered in on the west side if possible. In this way, the apricot tree is later pushed away from the post by the wind and not against it.

Prepare planting hole for apricot tree

You can put some potting soil and compost in the planting hole so that the small apricot tree has sufficient nutrients available right from the start. Mix the different layers well and, if necessary, add a fertilizer with an organic long-term effect - like ours Plantura organic tomato fertilizer - a.

Prepare apricot tree before planting

Before inserting container goods, you should carefully score the root ball all around with scissors and loosen it up a bit with your hands. This measure stimulates root branching. It is usually not necessary to cut back the roots of container goods. However, if the root ball is very dry, the young tree can be dipped in a bucket of water again before it is planted.

Plant an apricot tree

Place the tree in the planting hole so that the grafting point protrudes at least 5 centimeters above ground level. Then fill the hole with the excavated earth again and carefully tread it down. Finally, the freshly planted tree should be well watered, because only mudding ensures that the soil settles well and encloses the roots.

Now you can tie the tree to the support pole to protect it from strong winds. You should be careful not to attach the rope too tightly so that the tree does not suffer constrictions. Additional measures, such as installing a special protection against eating, protect the young tree from rodents. Putting a coconut mat underneath ensures that the tree grate remains free of weeds and there is no nutrient competition between the herbs and the shallow-rooted apricot tree comes.

Summary: plant an apricot tree

• It is best to plant in autumn (October/November).
• Choose a warm, sheltered location
• Dig the planting hole large and deep enough
• Drive in a support pole to protect against wind
• Improve garden soil with plant and compost soil
• If necessary, incorporate some organic long-term fertilizer
• Score and loosen the root ball
• Place the tree and close the planting hole with the excavated soil
• Step up and sink in easily
• Tie the tree to a post, attach a protective barrier and lay out a coconut mat

Caring for apricot tree after planting

In order for the young tree to develop well, you should ensure that there is an adequate water supply, especially in the first few years. Annual fertilizing with compost and organic long-term fertilizers can also have a positive effect on growth and yield. More information about Fertilizing fruit trees see this article.

Tip from the pro: Herbs that require little nutrients and water can be grown under young fruit trees without hesitation. Nasturtium can be used, for example, as a spice in the kitchen and at the same time protects the tree from pests.

In order to steer the growth of young apricot trees in the right direction, regular training pruning is also required after successful planting. More information about Pruning apricot trees can be found in our special article.