Yes, we have no apricots (again)! In theory, apricot trees should thrive in our High Plains climate. They are hardy enough to survive the cold winters, and our dry summers actually aid in the maturation of their soft, sweet summer bounty. So why do our region’s apricot trees only yield fruit every 5 to 10 years?
Today’s Growing on the High Plains serves as an icy reminder of the debilitating toll late-spring frosts can have on the early-flowering apricot. I’ll also lay down a few tips for growers just a stone-fruit’s throw south of us, where the apricot cultivation is less of a fruitless endeavor.
And finally, is there a right way to pronounce these storied, orange-hued gems? Only the cowardly lion knows for sure.
