Growing Apples in Southern California? | Trial Results Low Chill Hours Test | #ProPlantTips

It was always thought that apples couldn’t be grown in California. There simply weren’t enough chill hours (Cold hours below 45°F and above 35°F). Nature Hills took a trip to the South Coast Research and Extension Center to learn more about how many chill hours are actually necessary to grow apples. Tom Spellman sales rep and manager for the Dave Wilson Nursery had noticed through the years that there were gardeners in Southern California growing apples successfully in their yards. Seeing as apples are not labeled for USDA Zones 10a and 10b, this led him to ask the question: Can apples be grown in California with its temperate winters and if so which varieties were the best to recommend? After six years of testing and letting the different apple trees grow, the answer is clear. Yes! Apples can grow in low chill hours. In fact, during some of the years there were as few as zero chill hours and the trees still produced fruit. With this exciting research and discovery, California residents are now free to grow their own apples with the comfort of knowing it’s possible. During Spellman’s study, he looked at the flavor quality and harvest size of many different apple varieties. Here are the successfully fruited apple tree varieties: Akane Arkansas Black - https://www.naturehills.com/apple-tre... Ashmeads Kernel Bella de Boskoop Braeburn - https://www.naturehills.com/apple-tre... Bramley Seedling Cox Orange Pippin - https://www.naturehills.com/apple-tre... Empire - https://www.naturehills.com/empire-ap... Golden Delicious - https://www.naturehills.com/apple-tre... Golden Russet Gravenstein - https://www.naturehills.com/apple-tre... Honeycrisp - https://www.naturehills.com/honeycris... Hudsons Golden Gem Jonagold - https://www.naturehills.com/apple-tre... King of Tompkins Liberty Melrose Mutsu - https://www.naturehills.com/mutsu-app... North Pole - https://www.naturehills.com/north-pol... Red Fuji - https://www.naturehills.com/fuji-appl... Scarlet Sentinel - https://www.naturehills.com/scarlet-s... Sierra Beauty Snow Waltana Yellow Newtown Pippin Zestar We’ve highlighted a couple of the best results. Cox Orange Pippin Apple Tree Commonly thought to be the tastiest of the dessert apples, Cox is classically known as a high chill apple. However, as seen here it does incredibly well in warm climates like Southern California. The apples striking orange-red coloring only hints at the exquisite texture and sweetness inside. Try using these for making your own apple cider at home or simply for eating right off the tree! Shop: https://www.naturehills.com/apple-tre... Red Fuji Apple Tree One of the most prized apples in the United States, the Red Fuji apple tree delivers a spectacular spring display and productes an outstanding fall harvest of fruit. Try eating them fresh, as an applesauce, or baked in your favorite desserts! Most impressively, these apples have a shelf life of up to three months when stored in a cool, dry, and dark location. Previously only available to those with a higher chill hours, Californians now have the chance to grow Fuji for themselves! Shop: https://www.naturehills.com/fuji-appl... No longer must California residents hold back from growing Apple trees! Low chill hours? No problem! Are you looking to start your garden apple orchard? Finding apple trees in California may be a challenge. Fear not! NatureHills.com has an extensive selection of apple trees to choose from. Simply visit our site, pick your variety, and we’ll ship it to you! What are you waiting for? Shop now: https://www.naturehills.com/fruit-tre...