Apple
Can I Grow Granny Smith?
The iconic bright green apple with a sharp, tangy bite that's perfect for baking and fresh eating. Discovered in Australia, Granny Smith is one of the most recognizable apples worldwide.
Growing Requirements
Chill Hours
400
Hardiness Zones
5-6-7-8-9
Harvest
October to November
Results
Enter your zip code to see if Granny Smith will thrive in your area.
You checked if it'll grow. Now make sure you remember what happens when it does.
Pruning dates, harvests, spray schedules, what worked. The gardeners who get the most from their trees are the ones who kept records.
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About Granny Smith
The iconic bright green apple with a sharp, tangy bite that's perfect for baking and fresh eating. Discovered in Australia, Granny Smith is one of the most recognizable apples worldwide.
Granny Smith requires 400 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
Requires a long growing season (170+ days) — won't ripen properly in northern climates with early frosts.
❌ Common Misconception
Will Granny Smith produce more fruit in colder climates?
Not necessarily. Granny Smith only needs 400 chill hours. Planting in very cold zones (4 or colder) risks winter damage without improving fruit production. The ideal zones are 5-9 where the tree gets enough chill without excessive cold stress.
If you plant it, write it down.
Variety, rootstock, planting date — and every pruning and harvest after that. Future you will thank you.
Free for up to 30 plants. No card needed.
Other Apple Varieties
Chill hour data from Open-Meteo Historical Weather API. Variety information compiled from university extension services.