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Can You Grow Apricot in Iowa?

US · USDA Zone 5a · zones 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b

Grows well here

Apricots grow well here with full sun and good drainage — the main challenge is protecting spring bloom from frost.

Plant zones

4a–9a

Iowa last frost

mid-April

Iowa first frost

mid-October

Days to harvest

2–5 years

About Apricot

Apricots are among the earliest stone fruits to bloom and ripen — fragrant, golden, and self-fertile, but the early blooms make them vulnerable to late frosts.

Plant in well-drained soil in full sun, ideally against a warm wall. Thin fruit heavily for size. Harvest when soft and fragrant; apricots ripen fast.

Full apricot growing guide →

Gardening in Iowa

Iowa has a humid continental climate with cold winters and warm summers. Most of the state is Zone 5a-5b. Excellent for cool-season crops and hardy fruits.