Apricots

I am familiar with two varieties that grow well in No San Gabriel Valley. These are early blooming and fruiting. They do not need high chill.

Fruit bears on last year's growth. They should be trimmed and thinned as needed. Branches should not get so tall that the fruit cannot be reached. A pole picker can facilitate. I just use a ladder so I can be more careful with the fruit. Heavy pruning and shaping is needed for a new tree as with all new fruit trees.

Fruit ripens fast and largely at once. They are wonderful dried and preserved. Squirrels love them, so if the tree is small enough, netting can work.

Blenheim (Royal) - all purpose freestone, sweet, aromatic and very flavorful. They are little garden candies and are ripe when still a bit crunchy. Once they are soft, they are not so good. This has been a favorite in So Cal for a long time and bloom early.

Moorpart or Tilton? - My other tree might be one of these. It also does well, early bloomer with bigger fruit that is best on the softer side.