Apricot: Prunus armeniaca

Fertilizing
In Western states, the soil is often alkaline and salty. Chemical fertilizers are not recommended except for plants with a high salt tolerance. Organic fertilizers should be used instead.

Chemical fertilizers have an NPK ratio label on their containers, such as 10-10-10. The first number is the percentage of nitrogen [N], the second is the percentage of phosphorous [P], the third number is the percentage of potassium [K]. The amount to use depends on the first number. If the NPK number is 20-x-x, that contains twice as much nitrogen as a package labeled 10-x-x, and you must use half as much. For most temperate zone fruit trees, a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer is recommended if one is used at all. Sometimes a fertilizer will have a fourth number, and that is the percentage of sulfur.

For many plants, using a high nitrogen fertilizer will produce all foliage and no flowers or fruit. Be careful not to use fertilizers where the amount of nitrogen exceeds the other ingredients unless the plant species specifically needs it. Composted manure also contains too much nitrogen for many plants and will cause them not to flower and fruit.

Some fruit trees, such as citrus and those from tropical regions, need the micronutrients chlorine [Cl], boron [B], iron [Fe], manganese [Mn], zinc [Zn], copper [Cu], and molybdenum [Mo] in descending order of importance. Commercial plant micronutrient formulas, added to irrigation water, are a good way to provide these.

Pruning
One way to cause a fruit tree to grow short is called "pugging". This means cutting the tree branches to no more than two or three foot tall when it is small. The cuts must be made above the graft. Often several of the strongest branches have been selected to form the main tree structure and the rest have been removed. All branch cuts should be at a 45° angle so water will run off and not collect on top. The pruning shears should be sterilized, using 70-100% isopropyl alcohol, before and between each tree to avoid spreading plant diseases.

Culling Excess Fruit
It takes many leaves to support one fruit, and larger fruit require more leaves. For most Prunus species, remove excess small green fruit so that those remaining are spaced 8" apart. This includes apricot, peach, nectarine, plum and pluot. Other species may also need green fruit culling to provide a proper leaf to fruit ratio. Culling keeps the total fruit load from breaking branches and avoids undersized fruit. Blueberries need short shoots pruned to remove excess berry buds so the remaining berries can grow larger.

Weeding
Young fruit plants do not compete well with weeds. Weeds should never be allowed to grow under the tree canopy above the roots. Because many plants have shallow roots, using a hoe can damage roots if the hoe digs too deep. Pulling weeds by hand to avoid root damage is a safer option.

Companion and Antagonist Plants
Antagonist plants are those that should not be near the plant you are putting in the ground. They may take up the same nutrients as the desired plant, chemically interfere with its growth, or carry the same diseases. Companion plants are those that keep insects away with their scent or those that attract beneficial insects which prey on plant-destroying insects.

For example, do not plant blackberry vines where tomatoes, peppers, potatoes or eggplant are, or have been growing. Pear trees need to be far away from apple trees, roses, pyracantha and Bermuda grass. On the other hand, apple trees are helped if you plant chives, marigolds, nasturtiums and/or onions thickly around them as companions because they attract pollinating and beneficial insects.

Critter Protection
Gnaw guards should be installed around the base of many fruit trees, especially rose family members, to keep rabbits and rodents from eating the bark and possibly killing the tree. These guards can be made of 1/4-1/2" wire mesh, wrapped around the trunk, but not tightly, with the bottom buried in the ground. The guard must be adjusted periodically so the trunk can grow without getting constricted. Plastic pipe or plastic containers can also be used as trunk guards, which should rise at least 10" high above ground.

Gopher damage can be reduced by growing a tree in a large, underground metal basket.

Irrigated trees need to be in an area surrounded by a stout fence to keep out javelina that like to dig and lie in moist, shaded soil. Trees can also be draped in large bird nets, reaching to the ground, with no openings.

To keep rabbits away, grow berries in 18" high raised garden beds or use 18-24" high chicken wire. Young rabbits can get through 2" x 4" fencing.

Protecting from Frost
Two methods can be used to protect a plant from frost. One is to pack a deciduous plant in hay bales. Second, place incandescent holiday lights under the tree with a large cloth cover over the entire plant. The lights are kept on when the temperature is below freezing. The cloth must be tucked in at the bottom. Remove the cloth during the day if the plant is evergreen, unless wind chill remains below freezing.

Plastic coverings should not be used unless they do not touch the plant. Plastic will freeze any part of the plant it touches.

Reasons to Use Containers
Strawberries and blueberries need moderate to high soil acidity and consistent moisture. Containers are an easy way to achieve this environment when local soil is alkaline and dry. One caution: do not use concrete containers. They are alkaline and inhospitable to acid-loving plants.