Question: Could you recommend a good apricot for the home gardener? All the descriptions I read about for Goldkist, Royal and Moorpark apricots were the same, that they were sweet and juicy. I planted a Katy apricot, which is supposed to be sweet, but the fruits are not sweet enough for me.
It is tough to really get specific on how fruit will perform in different places and climates. The quality of the fruit will vary with climates, soil types and how the fruit is cared for. That is why it is valuable to have test and demonstration gardens doing some of those evaluations.
The advantages of Katy apricot is that it makes a very nice landscape tree, as well as pretty good fruit. It's a vigorous grower and shows very little stress. Try to avoid overwatering prior to picking and let the fruit rest.
Bob Morris is an associate professor with the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension.
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