The range for growing apricots ( Prunus armeniaca ) is limited . While most grow well in U.S. Department of Agriculture works hardiness geographical zone 4 through 9 , they are grumpy about their growth requirements . North Carolina falls in USDA zones 6b and 8a , but possess little of the ideal mood for optimum apricot growth . apricot blossom very too soon , but median last frost appointment in North Carolina fall well into mid - spring . Apricots favour more temperate , drier climates , while summers in North Carolina are often hot and humid . thrifty selection of apricot miscellany is cardinal to successfully growing them in North Carolina .
Step 1
One problem with growing yellowish pink in North Carolina is the level of humidness the realm experience . When growing in these position , apricot tree are prostrate to a number of fungous diseases and may become accentuate enough that they do n’t produce fruit . Areas like Greensboro , Raleigh and Charlotte , on intermediate , have high morning humidity but much of it scatter by late afternoon . Areas like Cape Hatteras remain fairly humid all day . In these areas , choice miscellany that are disease - resistant .
Late Frosts
Apricots bloom early in the time of year . sure miscellany begin bloom as betimes as February . The modal last frost date for most areas of North Carolina is April 1 , with the exception of Wilmington , with an average last frost particular date of March 21 . area around Asheville , Durham and Winston - Salem have average late frost date even later in the time of year , on about April 11 . freeze will kill the flowers that produce the fruit . Some gardeners intent on growing apricot in such part cover the blooming tree with a blanket and place a lovesome light beneath it to protect blooms . choose late - bloom varieties increases the chance of success .
Step 2
Hot Summers
Apricots are fragile and prone to heat equipment casualty . Apricots growing under extreme hotness conditions are dependent to Inferno sunburn , a condition that make the fruit to soften and turn brown around the pits . This often occurs in arena that pass 95 level Fahrenheit for several days in a row . Areas around Fayetteville may have as many as 120 day over 86 degrees Fahrenheit , and a figure of country average 90 days of such rut . Asheville , however , rarely see temperatures high than 86 degrees , and areas around Greensboro medium one to two months at that heat level . Select varieties resistive to pit burn for area with high heat .
Varieties
In light of the humidness , heat and late rime day of the month found in North Carolina , growing apricots is a challenge . sure apricot are resistant to damage make by these environs but seldom is one smorgasbord resistant to all three . For example , some kind , such as " Harglow " and " Harcot , " both unfearing in USDA zones 5 through 9 , are disease - insubordinate and bloom late , while " Brittany Gold , " stalwart in USDA zones 7 through 9 , flowers midseason and has proven more resistant to heat damage . Selecting the veracious apricot will give you a well fortune at achiever .
