HeirloomContainer OK

Golden Delicious Apple

Malus domestica 'Golden Delicious'

One of America's most beloved apple varieties, originating from West Virginia in the early 1900s. This self-pollinating tree produces sweet, crisp apples with distinctive golden-yellow skin that's perfect for fresh eating, baking, and sauce making. Known for its reliable production and excellent storage qualities, making it a top choice for home orchards.

Harvest

120-140d

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 Golden Delicious Apple in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 fruit-tree →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Golden Delicious Apple · Zones 4–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy to moderate

Spacing15-20 feet (standard), 8-10 feet (dwarf)

SoilWell-drained loamy soil with good organic content

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-2 inches per week, deep watering

SeasonSpring planting, fall harvest

FlavorSweet and mellow with mild tartness, crisp texture

ColorGolden yellow with occasional red blush

SizeMedium to large, 3-4 inches diameter

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 4	—	June – July	—	September – 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

Store Golden Delicious in your refrigerator's crisper drawer at 32-35°F with high humidity for optimal longevity—they'll keep 3-5 months under ideal conditions. Never store damaged fruit, as one bad apple truly spoils the bunch. For short-term storage (2-3 weeks), keep them in a cool basement or garage in perforated plastic bags.

For preservation, Golden Delicious excels at multiple methods. Freeze peeled, sliced apples tossed with lemon juice and a pinch of ascorbic acid—they maintain texture better than many varieties. Dehydrate at 135°F for 8-12 hours to make excellent apple chips. Their firm flesh and balanced sweetness make superior applesauce that requires minimal added sugar. Can apple slices in light syrup or apple juice for year-round baking. The variety's natural sugars also make it ideal for apple cider vinegar production through natural fermentation.

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, Japanese beetles, and improves tree health

Marigolds

Deters nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial insects

Nasturtiums

Acts as trap crop for aphids and attracts predatory insects

Comfrey

Deep roots bring nutrients to surface and provides potassium-rich mulch

Lavender

Repels moths and attracts pollinators, improves overall orchard health

Tansy

Deters ants, mice, and flying insects that can harm apple trees

Dill

Attracts beneficial wasps and ladybugs that control apple pests

Clover

Fixes nitrogen in soil and provides ground cover to retain moisture

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Releases juglone which is toxic to apple trees and inhibits growth

Grass

Competes directly for water and nutrients, especially harmful to young trees

Fennel

Inhibits growth through allelopathic compounds that stunt apple tree development

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

Moderate resistance to apple scab, susceptible to fire blight

Common Pests

Codling moth, apple maggot, aphids, scale insects

Diseases

Apple scab, fire blight, powdery mildew, cedar apple rust

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Golden Delicious apple take to produce fruit?▼

Golden Delicious on dwarf rootstock typically produces fruit in 2-3 years, while standard trees take 4-6 years. Grafted trees fruit much earlier than seedlings, which can take 8-10 years and won't produce true-to-type fruit. The variety is known for earlier fruit production compared to many apple cultivars.

Can you grow Golden Delicious apple trees in containers?▼

Yes, Golden Delicious grows well in large containers (at least 20-gallon capacity) when grafted onto dwarf rootstock like M9 or M26. Container trees need consistent watering, annual repotting or root pruning, and winter protection in cold climates. Expect 15-25 apples per season from container-grown trees.

Is Golden Delicious apple good for beginners?▼

Golden Delicious is excellent for beginners due to its self-pollinating nature, reliable production, and forgiving growth habits. It's easier than many apples since you don't need multiple varieties for cross-pollination. However, beginners should learn proper fire blight prevention and pruning techniques for best results.

What does Golden Delicious apple taste like compared to Red Delicious?▼

Golden Delicious has a sweet, mellow flavor with subtle tartness and crisp, juicy texture—much superior to Red Delicious for eating fresh. Unlike Red Delicious's often mealy texture, Golden Delicious maintains crispness when properly stored and has more complex, honey-like flavors that make it excellent for both fresh eating and cooking.

When should I plant Golden Delicious apple trees?▼

Plant Golden Delicious in early spring after the last hard frost but before leaves emerge, typically March-April in most regions. Fall planting works in zones 6-9 if done 6-8 weeks before hard freeze. Avoid planting when soil is muddy or frozen, as proper root establishment requires workable, well-draining soil.

Do Golden Delicious apples need full sun to grow well?▼

Golden Delicious requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal fruit production and disease prevention. Insufficient sun results in poor fruit color, reduced sugar content, and increased susceptibility to fungal diseases. In very hot climates (zones 8-9), light afternoon shade can prevent sunscald on fruit.