Apricot
Harcot Pollination Guide
Harcot is self-fertile — a single tree will produce fruit without a pollination partner.
You don't need a second tree to get fruit from Harcot. It can pollinate itself. That said, having a compatible variety nearby can sometimes improve fruit set and yield through cross-pollination.
Harcot Quick Facts
Chill Hours
700 hours
Hardiness Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Harvest
Late July
Pollination Note
Most apricots are self-fertile but yield improves with a second variety
Planning Your Orchard
Harcot is self-fertile, so a single tree will produce fruit. However, stone fruit trees benefit from good pollinator activity — encourage bees by planting flowering herbs and avoiding pesticide sprays during bloom. Space trees 15–20 feet apart, or 8–10 feet for dwarf varieties.
Keep a record of every tree you plant — variety, rootstock, location.
Start your free tree log →Compatible Pollination Partners
Can I Grow Harcot?
Check if your climate has enough chill hours for Harcot. Enter your zip code for an instant answer.
Check your zip code →Interactive Pollination Checker
Compare pollination compatibility across all 60+ fruit tree varieties in our database.
Open checker →Most people forget within a year.
Which pairs fruited well, what bloomed when, what you did each season — write it down from the start.
Free for up to 30 plants. No card needed.
About Harcot
Harcot is the cold-climate apricot breakthrough — developed in Harrow, Ontario for northern growers. It combines good hardiness with excellent flavor and later bloom that dodges more frosts.
Growing Challenges
Still blooms early enough for frost damage in bad years; fruit is soft and doesn't ship well.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close does a pollinator need to be to Harcot?
For reliable pollination, plant the partner variety within 50–100 feet of Harcot. Bees are the primary pollinators and typically work within this range. In practice, a tree in your yard or even a neighbor's nearby tree can work. The closer the trees, the more consistent the fruit set.
Can I grow just one Harcot tree?
Yes! Harcot is self-fertile and will produce fruit as a single tree. You don't need a second tree, though having one nearby can sometimes improve yield.
Other Apricot Varieties
Related Tools
Pollination Checker
Interactive tool to find compatible pollination partners for any fruit tree.
Can I Grow Harcot?
Check if your zip code has enough chill hours for this variety.
Chill Hour Checker
Validate chill hours for any fruit tree variety by zip code.
Frost Date Finder
Find your first and last frost dates to plan bloom protection.
Pollination data compiled from university extension services, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) pollination group charts, RosBREED cherry S-allele research, and nursery compatibility guides. Pollination compatibility can vary by region and microclimate. For best results, consult your local extension office.