Apricots

Apricots are a small volume crop for us. We grow about 30 trees and right now are establishing a new planting as our original 30 trees are scheduled for removal soon. We grow 10 cultivars and selections developed at the Harrow Research Centre: Harcot, Harval and Harlayne, and several newer numbered selections like HW464 and HW 460. These cultivars were bred by Dr. Dick Layne for their exceptional fruit quality.

Apricots have many challenges for the grower. New trees grow too strongly and often die of winter injury in the first 5 years. Cropping does not begin until trees are at least 3 years old, but good volumes are not expected until the 6th or 7th year. Apricot fruit are susceptible to brown rot and bacterial spot, although these cultivars have better disease resistance. Also apricot blossoms are the first to open in the spring, and often are damaged by frost. So enjoy apricots when they are plentiful because it doesn't happen every year!

For more information on apricots:

British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food Apricot page

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