Top 7 Apple Varieties to Cultivate in Your Backyard Orchard
Growing your own delicious apple trees can be a rewarding experience for anyone, no matter your gardening skills. Here, we've handpicked some outstanding apple tree varieties that are perfect for home gardens. As always, remember that the best tree for your backyard depends on your climate and region, but these exceptional apples boast several desirable traits.
Let's dive into our top picks and discover how to care for them to enjoy fruitful, lovely harvests for years to come.
Gala
Whether you love them fresh, dried, or for making cider, Gala apples are heavenly. With their striking red and yellow hues, you'll be enchanted by their sweet texture and taste. These trees are quite heat-tolerant, adapting to various climates, and their fruit typically ripens in mid-September. While Gala apples are somewhat disease-resistant, keep an eye out for common culprits like scab.
- Zones: 4 to 8
- Size: 20 to 25 feet tall
- Care requirements: Full sun, well-draining loamy soil, and regular watering
Fuji
Fuji apples boast a yellowish base with an attractive, orange-red blush. Known for their rich flavor and exceptional juiciness, these apples are great for both fresh eating and cooking. Fuji apples ripen in mid-October, and they have a lengthy storage life, making them perfect for winter months. They're naturally resistant to scab, so they'll call for less attention compared to other apple trees.
- Zones: 4 to 9
- Size: Standard trees grow 15 to 20 feet tall and wide; dwarf varieties are smaller.
- Care requirements: Full sun, well-draining, nutrient-rich loamy soil
Most apple trees will need to be pollinated to bear fruit, though a select few can self-pollinate. For the former, ensure you plant two different varieties that bloom concurrently, such as Fuji and Gala.
Redfree
Originating from Indiana, Redfree apple trees offer a delightful, crisp texture that's ideal for home gardens and those new to gardening. This hardy variety boasts high resistance to common diseases like scab, rust, and fire blight. Plus, it has excellent flavor, ripening in mid-to-late August.
- Zones: 4 to 7
- Size: 12 to 16 feet tall x 10 to 14 feet wide
- Care requirements: Full sun, well-draining loamy soil, and regular watering during dry periods
Bonita
Bonita apple trees range in color from vibrant red to soft pink, with a yellow-green background. These apples are slightly acidic, with a juicy, crunchy bite. They're also resistant to apple scab, so they'll require fewer pesticides and less maintenance, leading to a healthier, easier-to-grow plant.
- Zones: 7 to 10
- Size: 15 to 20 feet high
- Care requirements: Full sun, well-draining, organic-rich soil
Cordera
Similar to Bonita, Cordera apple trees are scab-resistant, making them a more low-maintenance plant. Their namesake comes from the Spanish word "lamb," named after Robert Lamb, an apple breeder at Cornell University. Cordera's fruit is crimson and rose, with a "crisp texture that's sweet and flavorful."
- Zones: Hardy to zone 4
- Size: Semi-dwarf – 10 to 12 feet high
- Care requirements: Full sun, well-draining loamy soil
Enterprise
Enterprise apple trees ripen in October and are resistant to blight, rust, and scab, as well as moderately resistant to mildew. These trees boast medium to large, red apples with a crisp texture. They store well and can last for five to six months if properly refrigerated.
- Zones: 4 to 7
- Size: 12 to 15 feet tall x 12 to 15 feet wide
- Care requirements: Full sun, well-draining loamy soil, and regular watering until established, then as needed during dry spells.
Crimson Topaz
Crimson Topaz apple trees are vigorous and an easy-to-grow plant that produces flavorful fruit. These trees offer a sweet and tart flavor with a crisp texture. They're resistant to apple scab and powdery mildew, generally ripening in mid-October.
- Zones: 4 to 8
- Size: Typically grows 12 to 15 feet tall and wide.
- Care requirements: Full sun, well-draining, moderately rich soil, and regular watering, especially during dry periods.
Growing one's own apple trees can provide a delightful experience, even for beginners in gardening. Martha Stewart's home-and-garden lifestyle magazine recommends the Gala apple variety, which thrives in zones 4 to 8 and exhibits striking red and yellow hues with a sweet taste. Fruits usually ripen in mid-September, and they are heat-tolerant. This tree, however, may need attention for diseases like scab.
For those seeking an apple variety that requires less maintenance, the Fuji apple, with its yellowish base and attractive orange-red blush, could be an ideal choice. These trees ripen in mid-October, are disease-resistant, and grow well in zones 4 to 9.
New apple tree enthusiasts might find Redfree apples appealing. Originating from Indiana, these trees are disease-resistant and perfect for zones 4 to 7. With a crisp texture and excellent flavor, they ripen in mid-to-late August.
In warmer climates, Bonita apple trees could be a great addition to a home garden. Their vibrant red to soft pink apples are slightly acidic, juicy, and crunchy, while being resistant to apple scab. They prosper in zones 7 to 10.
For those who prefer a semi-dwarf apple tree, Cordera apple trees are scab-resistant and offer a crisp and flavorful fruit. This easy-to-grow plant is perfect for zones as low as 4.
Those seeking apple trees that store well and are resistant to common apple diseases like blight, rust, scab, and mildew might consider the Enterprise apple variety, which ripens in October and grows in zones 4 to 7.
Lastly, the Crimson Topaz apple tree is highly recommended for its resistance to apple scab and powdery mildew. Ripening in mid-October, this tree provides a sweet and tart flavor with a crisp texture, making it an easy-to-grow plant in zones 4 to 8.
