Apple
Can I Grow Arkansas Black?
Arkansas Black is the keeper's apple — rock-hard at harvest with dark, almost purple skin that develops complex, spicy-sweet flavor after months in cold storage. It's the apple that gets better with age.
Growing Requirements
Chill Hours
800
Hardiness Zones
5-6-7-8-9
Harvest
Late October to November
Results
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About Arkansas Black
Arkansas Black is the keeper's apple — rock-hard at harvest with dark, almost purple skin that develops complex, spicy-sweet flavor after months in cold storage. It's the apple that gets better with age.
Arkansas Black requires 800 chill hours — the number of hours between 32°F and 45°F during winter dormancy. Without enough chill, the tree may fail to flower properly or produce poor fruit.
⚠️ Common Challenges
Nearly inedible at harvest — must be stored 2-4 months for flavor to develop; very late ripening.
❌ Common Misconception
Can I grow Arkansas Black in Zone 10 or warmer?
No. While Arkansas Black is listed for zones 5-9, it requires 800 chill hours to produce fruit. Warm zones like 10+ typically receive only 200-400 chill hours. The tree may survive but will not fruit reliably. Consider low-chill alternatives like Anna apple (200h) or Tropic Snow peach (200h) instead.
If you plant it, write it down.
Variety, rootstock, planting date — and every pruning and harvest after that. Future you will thank you.
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Other Apple Varieties
Chill hour data from Open-Meteo Historical Weather API. Variety information compiled from university extension services.