The familiar apricot, believed to have originated in China, has been cultivated for many thousands of years. A standard tree grows about 20 feet tall, spreading in a vase shape to a diameter of 25 to 30 feet; dwarf varieties grow about 8 feet tall, spreading to 10 feet. Apricots have attractive pink flowers that open so early in the spring that they are sometimes nipped by frost. They are followed in late summer by 11/2- to 2-inch fruit with orange, very sweet flesh. The fruit are most tasty when allowed to ripen on the tree; when ripe they are plump, fairly firm and a uniform golden-yellow color.
Two of the best varieties adaptable to many zones are Moorpark and Early Golden. In California favorite varieties are Royal, Blenheim and Tilton, Moongold and Sungold are recommended. All apricot trees but Moongold and Sungold will bear fruit if planted alone. Moongold and Sungold, however, should be planted together, for pollination of one variety by pollen from the other is required if the trees are to bear fruit. Apricot trees may survive and bear for 35 years or more. A full-grown standard tree yields about 3 to 4 bushels of fruit yearly; a dwarf yields about 3 bushels.
Apricots grow best in soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. For fruit within three or four years, buy one-year- old trees 3 to 5 feet tall. Plant them, if possible, on a north- facing slope; there they will not blossom so early that they will be caught by frost, and the slope allows cold air to flow away.
Plant standard-sized trees 30 feet apart, dwarf trees 10 to 15 feet apart, as early in the spring as the ground can be worked. Cut off all but the three best-placed branches. They should be 6 to 12 inches apart, face in dif-ferent directions and form angles greater than 45 degrees with the trunk. Cut them back to 2 to 4 inches. In the future, pruning should be restricted to removing deadwood and overcrowded branches.
Bush types of one variety or another grow in many climates. For black-fruited bush-type berries, Darrow, Eldorado, Lawton, and Synder are excellent varieties.
Most vine types are susceptible to frost damage and can be grown. Some good varieties of black- fruited vine-type berries are Brainerd and Lucretia, suited to eastern parts; Marion, in Washington and Oregon; and Olallie, in California. For red-fruited vine-type blackberries, recommended varieties are Boysen, which can be grown; Cascade, in Washington and Oregon: Logan, on the West Coast; and Young on the West and Gulf Coasts.
Two of the best varieties adaptable to many zones are Moorpark and Early Golden. In California favorite varieties are Royal, Blenheim and Tilton, Moongold and Sungold are recommended. All apricot trees but Moongold and Sungold will bear fruit if planted alone. Moongold and Sungold, however, should be planted together, for pollination of one variety by pollen from the other is required if the trees are to bear fruit. Apricot trees may survive and bear for 35 years or more. A full-grown standard tree yields about 3 to 4 bushels of fruit yearly; a dwarf yields about 3 bushels.
Apricots grow best in soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. For fruit within three or four years, buy one-year- old trees 3 to 5 feet tall. Plant them, if possible, on a north- facing slope; there they will not blossom so early that they will be caught by frost, and the slope allows cold air to flow away.
Plant standard-sized trees 30 feet apart, dwarf trees 10 to 15 feet apart, as early in the spring as the ground can be worked. Cut off all but the three best-placed branches. They should be 6 to 12 inches apart, face in dif-ferent directions and form angles greater than 45 degrees with the trunk. Cut them back to 2 to 4 inches. In the future, pruning should be restricted to removing deadwood and overcrowded branches.
Bush types of one variety or another grow in many climates. For black-fruited bush-type berries, Darrow, Eldorado, Lawton, and Synder are excellent varieties.
Most vine types are susceptible to frost damage and can be grown. Some good varieties of black- fruited vine-type berries are Brainerd and Lucretia, suited to eastern parts; Marion, in Washington and Oregon; and Olallie, in California. For red-fruited vine-type blackberries, recommended varieties are Boysen, which can be grown; Cascade, in Washington and Oregon: Logan, on the West Coast; and Young on the West and Gulf Coasts.
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Put sunloving vegetables such as tomatoes, corn, cucumbers and melons in gardening spot that have a lot of sun in your vegetable garden.
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