Site selection
Long summer days, cool nights, and a mostly dry season are ideal conditions for growing fruit trees.
Fruit trees require freezing or close to freezing temperatures during the winter, but generally need
at least 150 days between the last spring frost and the first fall frost so that blossoms are not
damaged in spring and so that the fruit will mature in the fall.
Apricots do best in areas
with full sun and well-drained soils at least 4 to 6
feet deep. The best soils are fertile, slightly acidic
sandy loam soils. Avoid sandy, high clay, or shallow
soils. Apricots are best adapted to areas with adequate
chilling, which for apricots is 600 to 900 hours below
45° F. There are a few low-chill varieties that will bear
with only 350 hours. Because of the early blooming habit
of apricots, avoid planting where late spring frost occurs
to avoid light crops. High temperatures
also influence the quality of fruit. In areas of high
rainfall, apricots do not regularly set fruit and are
subject to many diseases.
Do not plant in low spots or areas that flood frequently. If you are planting on a site where the
soil is shallow because of a hardpan, break through the hardpan when preparing for planting.
Do not plant trees too close together, as this may cause poor growth. | 
Apricots
need well-drained soils |