Apple
Can I Grow Jonagold?
Jonagold combines the best of Jonathan and Golden Delicious — a large, beautiful apple with honey sweetness and a tangy finish. It's a European favorite that excels in both fresh eating and cooking.
Growing Requirements
Chill Hours
700
Hardiness Zones
5-6-7-8
Harvest
Late September to October
Results
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About Jonagold
Jonagold combines the best of Jonathan and Golden Delicious — a large, beautiful apple with honey sweetness and a tangy finish. It's a European favorite that excels in both fresh eating and cooking.
Jonagold requires 700 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
Triploid variety that produces no viable pollen — requires two other pollinators nearby.
❌ Common Misconception
Can I grow Jonagold in Zone 9 or warmer?
No. While Jonagold is listed for zones 5-8, it requires 700 chill hours to produce fruit. Warm zones like 9+ 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.
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.