Growing apple
pome fruit
Pollination
Needs a second apple variety in the same or an adjacent bloom group. A single tree, or triploids like 'Jonagold', will not pollinate themselves.
Growing it
The mainstream group for Zones 5-8. Choose disease-resistant varieties in humid regions; spray or bag fruit for codling moth.
Where apple grows best
Hardy in zones 5-8, and it needs enough winter cold - about 500-1000 chill hours - to flower and fruit well. Combining the two:
Good fit across most of: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia. Also parts of Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Will you get enough chill?
Apple (standard) needs roughly 500–1000 hours between 32 and 45 °F over winter to break dormancy evenly. Check your area with the chill hours calculator. Low-chill breeding has pushed many varieties well below the figure here, so read the plant tag.
Questions gardeners ask
What zone does apple grow in?
Apple (standard) grows in USDA hardiness zones 5-8.
How many chill hours does apple need?
Roughly 500-1000 hours between 32 and 45°F over winter, depending on the variety. Low-chill varieties need less - check the plant tag, and estimate your own area with the chill hours calculator.
Does apple need a pollinator?
Needs a pollination partner. Needs a second apple variety in the same or an adjacent bloom group. A single tree, or triploids like 'Jonagold', will not pollinate themselves.
Which states can grow apple?
Apple (standard) suits most of Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky and 16 more, and parts of 21 other states where the right zones occur. Your own zone and chill hours matter more than the state.
Chill and pollination are given at the fruit-type level; specific cultivars can differ. Values are typical ranges for home-garden planning.