Hello! I'm looking to start planting some apple trees in my backyard. There is a question I have, though.
I'm looking for an apple to fit my taste. Living in Mid Michigan (zone 5b), there are certain ones that look interesting that probably wouldn't grow (Black Twig for instance) in my climate.
I'll try to describe what i'm looking for, but i'm not entirely sure i'll use the right verbage that apple growers use. I want a large, firm, tart, crisp apple. Think Granny Smith for an example of what I like. Is there anything any of y'all could suggest that fit my taste? It doesn't matter if it needs pollination because i'm going to get some other varieties as well.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Got a question for everyone
Moderator: appledude
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Re: Got a question for everyone
Does it have to be green? Northwestern Greening is green.Greyt.Chase wrote: I want a large, firm, tart, crisp apple. Think Granny Smith for an example of what I like.
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Re: Got a question for everyone
It can be purple polka dotted for all I care, as long as it's large, firm, crisp, and tart! Thanks for the idea!Chuck Rhode wrote:Does it have to be green? Northwestern Greening is green.Greyt.Chase wrote: I want a large, firm, tart, crisp apple. Think Granny Smith for an example of what I like.
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Re: Got a question for everyone
I like Idared a lot. Others think they're too small, too tart, and too "dull." I had my first crop this year, and they didn't measure up to the ones I buy locally, either, but I hope for better from my young tree. Seed Savers classifies Idared as a large apple and says, "Tart at harvest time; quality develops in storage." It's a fact I shop for these at the end of the season. Perhaps the difference is terroir.Greyt.Chase wrote:It can be purple polka dotted for all I care, as long as it's large, firm, crisp, and tart!
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Re: Got a question for everyone
Luckily, there is local orchard that has TONS of varieties of antique apples. They claim to have 1,500 varieties and 4,000 trees. I'm sure that if I keep coming back to them and buying different apples, i'll find the exact perfect apple for my yard.
Thanks for the suggestion!
Thanks for the suggestion!
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Re: Got a question for everyone
Arkansas Black will not be very flavorful in your area, if it even survives the winters...
I'm growing in PA so not super familiar with your zone but...in order of my preference to meet your criteria:
York Imperial. The hardest apple I've ever eaten, very crisp and juicy, harder than Granny but with much better flavor, stores well (it's namesake...the imperial keeper)
Pink Lady very crisp, very late harvest, you may be harvesting them in the snow...but excellent keeper that meets your criteria
Rome Beauty. Very large, tart, crisp, juicy, not the best flavor in my opinion although it has it's fans
Cortland Grown in finger lake region New York so should be similar in zone. Very large, McIntoshey type, Tart and juicy but not extremely crisp if you let them hang too long
All commercially available at most large nurseries eg. Stark Bros., Hilltop, Boyer, Adams County Nursery just to name a few.
I'm growing in PA so not super familiar with your zone but...in order of my preference to meet your criteria:
York Imperial. The hardest apple I've ever eaten, very crisp and juicy, harder than Granny but with much better flavor, stores well (it's namesake...the imperial keeper)
Pink Lady very crisp, very late harvest, you may be harvesting them in the snow...but excellent keeper that meets your criteria
Rome Beauty. Very large, tart, crisp, juicy, not the best flavor in my opinion although it has it's fans
Cortland Grown in finger lake region New York so should be similar in zone. Very large, McIntoshey type, Tart and juicy but not extremely crisp if you let them hang too long
All commercially available at most large nurseries eg. Stark Bros., Hilltop, Boyer, Adams County Nursery just to name a few.
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Re: Got a question for everyone
Thanks for the info! I'm going to put them on my list of apples to try this season! As for the trees i'm probably going to plant, they are all heirloom varities that i'm going to get in a bundle from Trees of Antiquity. Ashmead's Kernel, Cox's Orange Pippin, Northern Spy, Newton Pippin, White Pearmain, and Hauer Pippin. This will get me started and once I taste test a bunch this fall, i'll make a few more picks for planting. The ones you suggested sound very interesting! (Also, the USDA changed my climate zone from 5 to 6 according to average temps over the past 25-30 years).
theothertkuntz wrote:Arkansas Black will not be very flavorful in your area, if it even survives the winters...
I'm growing in PA so not super familiar with your zone but...in order of my preference to meet your criteria:
York Imperial. The hardest apple I've ever eaten, very crisp and juicy, harder than Granny but with much better flavor, stores well (it's namesake...the imperial keeper)
Pink Lady very crisp, very late harvest, you may be harvesting them in the snow...but excellent keeper that meets your criteria
Rome Beauty. Very large, tart, crisp, juicy, not the best flavor in my opinion although it has it's fans
Cortland Grown in finger lake region New York so should be similar in zone. Very large, McIntoshey type, Tart and juicy but not extremely crisp if you let them hang too long
All commercially available at most large nurseries eg. Stark Bros., Hilltop, Boyer, Adams County Nursery just to name a few.
Re: Got a question for everyone
I am not sure what your experience is in apples but just as a reminder keep in mind rootstock and pollination when you make your selection.
These people have fruit trees where it is very cold. I noticed they use a rootstock more suited for the cold.
http://www.fedcoseeds.com/index.htm
Randy
These people have fruit trees where it is very cold. I noticed they use a rootstock more suited for the cold.
http://www.fedcoseeds.com/index.htm
Randy
http://georgiahomeorchard.blogspot.com/
Georgia
Apple Trees:
Anna, Golden Dorsett, Jonagold, Fuji, Pink Lady, Golden Delicious, Winesap, Mutsu, Granny Smith, Williams Pride, Arkansas Black Cox Orange Pippen
Cherry Trees:
English Morello, NorthStar
Georgia
Apple Trees:
Anna, Golden Dorsett, Jonagold, Fuji, Pink Lady, Golden Delicious, Winesap, Mutsu, Granny Smith, Williams Pride, Arkansas Black Cox Orange Pippen
Cherry Trees:
English Morello, NorthStar
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Re: Got a question for everyone
I have zero experience with apples...this will be my first venture into growing them. The trees i'll be getting should (I hope at least!) help each other with pollination and that *shouldn't* be a problem. None of them have sterile pollen.Randy SGF wrote:I am not sure what your experience is in apples but just as a reminder keep in mind rootstock and pollination when you make your selection.
These people have fruit trees where it is very cold. I noticed they use a rootstock more suited for the cold.
http://www.fedcoseeds.com/index.htm
Randy
Thanks for the heads up!
Re: Got a question for everyone
If you are located here in the States, then get in touch with your local Extension agent, They will have a lot of free, or nearly free information for you on growing apples in your area.
Look for planting and initial pruning information for your area. It may be your trees come pruned but if they are not, do some google searches or call your Extension agent to find the information for your area. The initial pruning when you plant the tree will have a lot to do with the future development and production of the tree.
The number one thing we can do for our home orchard is keep the orchard floor and the trees clean of tree derby like fallen leaves, pruned branches and latter on ,fallen or diseased fruit in the tree.
Randy
Look for planting and initial pruning information for your area. It may be your trees come pruned but if they are not, do some google searches or call your Extension agent to find the information for your area. The initial pruning when you plant the tree will have a lot to do with the future development and production of the tree.
The number one thing we can do for our home orchard is keep the orchard floor and the trees clean of tree derby like fallen leaves, pruned branches and latter on ,fallen or diseased fruit in the tree.
Randy
http://georgiahomeorchard.blogspot.com/
Georgia
Apple Trees:
Anna, Golden Dorsett, Jonagold, Fuji, Pink Lady, Golden Delicious, Winesap, Mutsu, Granny Smith, Williams Pride, Arkansas Black Cox Orange Pippen
Cherry Trees:
English Morello, NorthStar
Georgia
Apple Trees:
Anna, Golden Dorsett, Jonagold, Fuji, Pink Lady, Golden Delicious, Winesap, Mutsu, Granny Smith, Williams Pride, Arkansas Black Cox Orange Pippen
Cherry Trees:
English Morello, NorthStar