A fruit tree in your landscape is a gift that keeps on giving. Once established, it will provide a bountiful harvest of fresh, sweet fruits – far superior to store-bought options. This guide highlights some of the diverse apple varieties you can grow right here in Virginia!

Growing Your Own Apples

Growing apple trees in the home garden can be a fun and rewarding experience, so long as you know all the tips and tricks. Here are the essential tips for successfully growing apples at home:

  • Plant at least 2 compatible varieties to ensure proper cross-pollination (except for self-fruiting “multi-graft” trees)
  • Expect fruit production in 2-7 years for standard trees, 2 years for dwarf varieties
  • Plant standard apple trees 35 feet apart, semi-dwarf trees 10-15 feet apart, and dwarf trees 8-0 feet apart

To learn more about variety and rootstock, site selection, proper planting, training, pruning, fertility, and pest control stop in and see the experts at Meadows Farms!

Apple Varieties Available at Meadows Farms

Remember, the apples listed below are just a selection of the varieties that Meadows Farms carries. Please call your local Meadows Farms for other varieties or special requests.

FUJI

This variety produces super sweet, crisp, and juicy apples that are yellow-green to mostly red. Fuji needs a second pollinator. They are the perfect combination of accent and fruit tree, and are ideal for home landscapes. Needs well-drained soil and full sun.

GOLDEN DELICIOUS

Probably the most popular yellowish-green apple, Golden Delicious are crunchy with a sweet flavor. These are late harvesting apples that are high maintenance and need a second pollinator to fruit successfully. Well-drained soils and full sun are ideal conditions.

GRANNY SMITH

Granny Smith are a tart apple with bright green skin, considered among the best apples for cooking. They need a second pollinator, well-drained soil, and full sun for best results. Granny Smith apples are ready for picking from early to mid fall.

HONEYCRISP

Honeycrisp are an exceedingly crisp and hardy red apple with a sweet and juicy flavor that keep extremely well. They need a second pollinator, well-drained soil, and full sun for best results. Honeycrisps are ready for picking from early to mid fall.

RED DELICIOUS

Red Delicious are possibly the most popular and famous dark red apple, with a very crisp and sweet flavor. They need a second pollinator, well-drained soil, and full sun for best results. Red Delicious are ready for picking from late summer to early fall.