How To Plant Apricot Seeds In Your Kitchen Garden

Apricots are sweet, juicy fruits with a delightful flavour, making them a fantastic addition to any kitchen garden. These golden-orange fruits are enjoyed fresh, dried, or cooked, often used in jams, desserts, and savoury dishes. Growing apricot trees from seeds can be a deeply rewarding experience, allowing you to witness each stage of growth and eventually enjoy your own harvest.

Video Credits: Sprouting Seeds/ YouTube

Starting from seeds instead of nursery plants takes longer, but it provides a unique connection to the plant’s entire life cycle. Apricot trees thrive in full sunlight and well-drained soil, and with a bit of regular care, they can be relatively easy to grow once established.

Tips To Plant Apricot Seeds In Your Kitchen Garden

Choose Fresh Apricot Seeds

Start by selecting seeds from fresh, ripe apricots. Look for apricots that are plump and fully ripe, as the seeds from these fruits are more likely to be viable. After removing the seed from the fruit, wash off any remaining fruit flesh and set the seeds aside to dry for a few hours.

Crack The Hard Shell Carefully

Apricot seeds are encased in a hard pit. To improve germination rates, gently crack the shell open without damaging the seed inside. You can use a nutcracker or a small hammer to do this carefully. Be gentle, as damaging the seed can prevent it from growing.

Also Read: How To Grow Mushrooms In A Bucket At Home

Stratify The Seeds

Apricot seeds need a period of cold stratification to mimic winter conditions, which encourages them to sprout. To stratify, wrap the seeds in a damp paper towel, place them in a plastic bag, and store the bag in the refrigerator for about 6-8 weeks. Check periodically to ensure the towel stays damp but not too wet.

Image Credits: Freepik

Prepare A Pot For Planting

Once the seeds have completed their cold period, they’re ready for planting. Fill a small pot with good-quality potting soil that drains well. Apricots prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil, with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. Make sure the pot has drainage holes to avoid waterlogging, which can rot the seeds.

Plant The Seeds

Place the seed about an inch deep in the soil and cover it lightly. If planting multiple seeds, use separate pots or keep them spaced apart to give each seedling room to grow. Water the soil gently to ensure it's evenly moist but not soggy.

Provide Plenty Of Sunlight

Apricot seeds need plenty of light and warmth to grow. Place the pot in a sunny spot where it will receive at least 6–8 hours of sunlight daily. Indoors, you can place it by a south-facing window. If sunlight is limited, consider using a grow light to ensure the plant gets enough energy for growth.

Image Credits: Freepik

Water Regularly But Avoid Overwatering

Keep the soil moist, especially during the germination period, but avoid overwatering. Watering too much can lead to root rot. Generally, watering once a week is enough, but you can adjust based on how dry the soil feels.

Transplant To The Garden When Ready

Once the seedling grows to a few inches and has developed a few sets of leaves, it’s time to transplant it to a larger pot or directly into your garden. Choose a spot in your garden with well-drained soil and full sunlight. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and gently place the plant into the hole, covering it with soil.

Care And Maintenance

After transplanting, keep caring for the young tree by watering it regularly, especially during dry spells. Mulch around the base to retain moisture and control weeds. Fertilise sparingly with a balanced fertiliser in spring, as apricot trees generally do not need heavy feeding.

Image Credits: Freepik

Patience And Harvesting

It may take 3-5 years for your apricot tree to produce fruit, but with proper care, it will be worth the wait. When it does bear fruit, you can harvest fresh apricots straight from your garden, a true reward for your effort and patience.