When to Plant Apricot in Alice Springs, Arid / Semi-Arid Guide
What this month normally looks like in Arid / Semi-Arid
In October the Arid / Semi-Arid zone normally runs 32°C by day and 16°C overnight, with about 19 mm of rain over 2 or 3 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was 1.9°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 10 postcodes, SILO.
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This Apricot guide is written for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, which takes in Alice Springs, Broken Hill and Port Augusta. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Jun to Aug
- Sun
- Full sun
Apricot is a deciduous stone fruit that flowers early and ripens from October to February. It needs winter chill, and low chill varieties such as Glengarry and Sal extend it into the subtropics.
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Best Planting Window for Arid / Semi-Arid
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar -
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun P
- Jul P
- Aug P
- Sep -
- Oct -
- Nov -
- Dec -
P = Planting window
The NT government says low chill varieties suit Central Australian conditions (NT Government). Hot dry summers need regular water. Harvest months are our estimate.
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How to Grow Apricot in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia
- Soil
- Deep, well drained and moisture retentive, slightly alkaline soil (GrowVeg).
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- Sunlight
- Full sun, to limit disease and produce good fruit (GrowVeg).
- Good companions
- Basil, Chives, Leek, Tansy
- Keep away from
- Capsicum
Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Apricot
Recommended Varieties
- Glengarry, Sal, low chill seedling (warm areas, Daleys)
- Bulida, Bentley, Fireball (about 450 to 500 hours)
- Hunter, Tilton (cooler, later)
Key Challenges
- Hot dry summers
- Water supply
Pro Tips
- Low chill varieties
- Mulch and water regularly
Pests and problems for Apricot in Arid / Semi-Arid
Harvesting Apricot
When ready: Fruit is soft and pulls easily from the tree (GrowVeg).
How to harvest: Pull gently. Ripe fruit also falls.
What members get
- Soil and weather from your nearest station
- An email when it's time to sow
- Your own garden plan, including planning from a photo
- Price history and price alerts
- Pest risk alerts for your area
- Full salt and canning detail
Common Questions About Apricot
When do you plant apricot in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): not recommended
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Jun to Aug
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Jun to Aug
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Jun to Aug
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Jun to Aug
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Jun to Aug
- Mediterranean (Perth): Jun to Aug
When should I plant Apricot in Alice Springs?
The NT government says low chill varieties suit Central Australian conditions (NT Government). Hot dry summers need regular water. Harvest months are our estimate.
How do I know when Apricot are ready to harvest?
Fruit is soft and pulls easily from the tree (GrowVeg).
What are the best Apricot varieties for Alice Springs?
Recommended varieties for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone include: Glengarry, Sal, low chill seedling (warm areas, Daleys), Bulida, Bentley, Fireball (about 450 to 500 hours), Hunter, Tilton (cooler, later).
What grows well with Apricot?
Good companion plants for Apricot include: Basil, Chives, Leek, Tansy.
Are apricot salt tolerant?
No. Apricot are salt-sensitive, one of the more sensitive veggies. Use rainwater if your bore water is salty, or grow them in a raised bed of fresh mix if your soil is.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, Alice Springs is its reference city.