Apple is the most widely adapted of all temperate-zone fruit trees. A copious producer if it's planted in full sun and well-drained soil, a mature tree will supply several families with bushels of fruit. Many cultivars have chilling requirements that must be met for fruits to develop properly. Choose a cultivar that will thrive in your climate. Also, plant two or more cultivars that bloom at the same time to ensure cross-pollination and a variety of fruits, or choose a self-pollinating cultivar if you have room for just one tree.
Top Varieties
is green with red blush and fair quality. This early season apple is suited for Florida and Southern California. Pair it with early flowering varieties to ensure pollination. Zones 5-9
view > bears medium fruit with yellow-to-green skin and red stripes. The fruit has a striking apple-strawberry flavor. Zones 4-9
view > is an old variety with a notable spicy flavor and red-yellow fruit. It is susceptible to many diseases. Zones 3-9
view > has glossy, bright-green fruit that is medium to large in size. It has a very tart flavor and is good for both fresh eating and cooking. The tree is strong and vigorous, but requires a very long growing season. Zones 6-8
view > bears medium fruit with a mottled red and yellow skin. It has crisp, juicy texture and a sweet flavor that is highlighted with a touch of tartness. Honeycrisp is an excellent storage apple. Zones 3-9
view > has medium-sized fruit with skin that is pale red and pale yellow. The flesh is firm, crisp, and juicy. A prolific producer, the fruit is good for both fresh consumption and cooking. Zones 5-9
view > is an heirloom cultivar with excellent storage ability. The small to medium fruit has green skin with red blush and ripens late in the season. Zones 5-8
view > has medium to large fruit with sweet, tender, juicy white flesh. It is very good fresh or in sauce, pieces, or cidered. The skin is yellow with a bright red blush. The tree is strong and vigorous. Zones 3-9
view > has large yellow fruit with red stripes. Choose a tree that is on a dwarf rootstock for more rapid fruit set. The vigorous trees bear on alternate years. Zones 4-9
view > has pink-tinged flesh and a sweet, juicy tartness. The medium apples follow an impressive springtime display of deep pink blossoms. Zones 6-10
view > bears big, 16-ounce ruby-red fruits on sturdy branches. This common selection is one of the sweetest apples. Zones 5-9
view > is a sweet, juicy heirloom cultivar. The yellow-green fruit is blushed with a touch of red.
view > was introduced to North America from New Zealand. This crisp, juicy apple has red striping on its yellow-tinged skin. An early producer, it ripens in August. Zones 3-8
view > also called 'Fameuse', is one of the oldest cultivated varieties. A hardy tree it bears fruit with red skin and snow-white flesh. Zones 4-9
view > is an exceptionally hardy tree with red fruit. It is a popular heirloom apple variety that is rarely grown now because superior disease-resistant cultivars are available. Zones 4-9
view > is a very hardy, heirloom cultivar with large red fruit. It has good disease resistance and is excellent for baking, sauce, and drying. Zones 3-7
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Harvest Tips
Expect to wait 3 to 5 years after planting for your first full harvest. Fruits ripen 70 to 180 days from bloom, depending on the cultivar. Pick apples by hand to avoid bruising them. A ripe apple separates easily from the branch and has firm flesh. A soft apple is overripe, but can still be used in cooking. Late-season varieties are the best for long-term storage at cool room temperatures. Some types, such as Cox, McIntosh, and Jonathan, decay if stored in the refrigerator.