Heirloom

Early Harvest Apple

Malus domestica 'Early Harvest'

One of the earliest ripening apples, this historic American heirloom delivers crisp, tart apples perfect for cooking and fresh eating when you're craving that first taste of apple season. Dating back to the 1600s, this reliable variety thrives in hot, humid climates where many other apples struggle and doesn't require a pollination partner. Its pale yellow fruits have a distinctly refreshing tartness that makes exceptional pies, sauce, and cider.

Harvest

100-110d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

4–9

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

15-30 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Harvest

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Early Harvest Apple in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 fruit-tree →

Zone Map

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Early Harvest Apple · Zones 4–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy to Moderate

Spacing15-20 feet apart

SoilWell-draining, fertile loam with good organic matter

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-2 inches per week, consistent moisture during fruit development

SeasonDeciduous, flowers mid-spring

FlavorTart, crisp, refreshing with bright acidity

ColorPale yellow-green with occasional red blush

SizeMedium, 2.5-3 inches diameter

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 4	—	June – July	—	August – September
Zone 5	—	May – July	—	August – October
Zone 6	—	May – July	—	August – October
Zone 7	—	May – June	—	July – October
Zone 8	—	April – June	—	July – November
Zone 9	—	March – May	—	June – December

Complete Growing Guide

Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 24-60 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: CrimsonCrisp®, 'Empire', 'Fuji', 'Gala', 'Ginger Gold', 'Golden Delicious', 'Jonagold', 'Mutsu', 'Red Delicious', 'Rome', 'Stayman'. Propagation: Grafting, Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Large, round, firm fruits that often have a waxy coating. Some varieties ripen late summer and some in the fall.

Color: Gold/Yellow, Green, Red/Burgundy. Type: Pome. Length: > 3 inches. Width: > 3 inches.

Garden value: Edible

Harvest time: Fall, Summer

Bloom time: Spring

Edibility: Fruits can be eaten raw and cooked in a variety of dishes.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Early Harvest apples store for 2-4 weeks in the refrigerator at 32-35°F with high humidity. Place them in perforated plastic bags in the crisper drawer. These apples don't keep as long as late-season varieties, so plan to use them quickly or preserve them.

For longer storage, Early Harvest excels at preservation. Freeze sliced apples for pies and baking – blanch briefly in lemon water to prevent browning, then freeze on trays before bagging. Their high acid content makes exceptional applesauce that cans beautifully using standard water bath methods. The tart flavor also creates outstanding apple cider vinegar through fermentation. Dehydrate thin slices at 135°F for 6-12 hours to make crispy apple chips that highlight their refreshing tartness.

History & Origin

Origin: Central Asia to Afghanistan

Advantages

+Attracts: Pollinators, Small Mammals
+Edible: Fruits can be eaten raw and cooked in a variety of dishes.

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Chives

Repels aphids and improves apple tree health when planted underneath

Nasturtiums

Acts as trap crop for aphids and repels woolly aphids

Marigolds

Deters nematodes and various pests while attracting beneficial insects

Comfrey

Deep roots bring nutrients to surface and leaves make excellent mulch

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and parasitic wasps

Clover

Fixes nitrogen in soil and provides living mulch

Tansy

Repels ants, mice, and various flying pests

Lavender

Repels moths and attracts pollinators

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits apple tree growth

Grass

Competes heavily for water and nutrients, especially problematic for young trees

Pine Trees

Acidifies soil and needle drop can create unfavorable conditions for apples

Nutrition Facts

Calories

25kcal(1%)

Protein

0.6g(1%)

Carbs

5.7g(2%)

Fat

0.3g(0%)

Vitamin C

22.3mg(25%)

Vitamin A

17mcg(2%)

Iron

0.07mg(0%)

Calcium

29mg(2%)

Potassium

123mg(3%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #168171)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good heat tolerance, moderate disease resistance

Common Pests

Codling moth, apple maggot, aphids

Diseases

Apple scab, fire blight, cedar apple rust

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Early Harvest apple take to grow from planting?▼

Early Harvest apple trees typically begin producing fruit 3-5 years after planting grafted trees. Dwarf rootstocks may fruit in 2-3 years, while standard trees can take 4-6 years. Once established, trees reach full production around year 7-10, yielding 30-50+ pounds annually depending on tree size and care.

Can you grow Early Harvest apples in containers?▼

Yes, Early Harvest apples grow well in large containers using dwarf rootstock. Use pots at least 20-25 gallons with drainage holes. Container trees need more frequent watering and annual fertilizing. They'll produce 10-20 apples per year and stay 6-8 feet tall with proper pruning. Move containers to protected areas during extreme cold in zones 5-6.

Is Early Harvest apple good for beginners?▼

Early Harvest is excellent for beginning apple growers. It's self-fertile, heat-tolerant, and produces reliably without complex care. The main challenge is timing harvest correctly, as fruits become mealy quickly when overripe. Beginners should monitor closely in late July/August and harvest when fruits twist off easily with stems attached.

What does Early Harvest apple taste like?▼

Early Harvest apples have a distinctly tart, crisp flavor with bright acidity and minimal sweetness. The taste is refreshing and clean with a firm, fine-grained texture. Think of a more acidic Granny Smith with less sweetness. This tartness makes them exceptional for pies and applesauce where the acidity balances added sugars perfectly.

When should I plant Early Harvest apple trees?▼

Plant Early Harvest apple trees in early spring while dormant, typically March-April depending on your zone. Avoid planting during active growth or when ground is frozen. Fall planting works in zones 7-9 but spring is safer in colder areas. Bare-root trees must be planted while dormant, while container trees have more flexibility.

Early Harvest vs Lodi apple - what's the difference?▼

Both are early-season cooking apples, but Early Harvest ripens 2-3 weeks earlier and has superior heat tolerance. Lodi apples are larger and slightly less tart, while Early Harvest offers better disease resistance in humid climates. Early Harvest is the better choice for hot Southern regions, while Lodi performs well in cooler Northern areas.