Late Season U of M Apple Varieties
Since the apple breeding program began at the University of Minnesota in 1888, nearly 30 apple varieties have been released. While some are no longer available, we have listed all the current mid-season U of M varieties many of which you can purchase from local nurseries and orchards.
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HoneygoldGolden to yellow-green fruit that is sweet, crisp, and juicy. Excellent for fresh eating and also good for cooking. The fruit will store for 2 to 3 months. The tree is easy to manage but susceptible to fire blight. Introduced in 1970. Ripens late September. |
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HaralsonFirm texture with a complex tart flavor. Good for fresh eating and cooking. Especially good pie apple. The fruit will store for 4 to 5 months. The tree is of low vigor and easily trained. Tends to be biennial bearing. Fruit may be prone to watercore and russeting. Introduced in 1922. Ripens late September to early October. |
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Frostbite™Intensely sweet, firm and juicy flesh. Stripped maroon-red and gold-yellow, 2 1/2" diameter fruit. Fruit may be prone to russeting. Excellent for cider. Introduced in 2008. Ripens late September to mid-October. |
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RegentAppealing red-striped apple with a well-balanced flavor that is good for eating and cooking. The fruit will store for 4 to 5 months. The tree is moderately vigorous and easily trained. Susceptible to apple scab and of moderate hardiness. Introduced in 1964. Ripens early to mid-October. |
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SnowSweet®Savory, sweet tasting apple, with a slight tart balance and rich overtones. Amazingly slow to turn brown when cut. Appealing, large, bronze-red blush fruit. Excellent for fresh eating, snack trays, and salads. Introduced in 2006. Ripens mid-October. |
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Fireside/Connell RedVery large fruit with a sweet flavor and fine-grained flesh good for fresh eating, salad, and baked apples. The tree is vigorous and weeping. Introduced in 1943. Ripens mid-October. |
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KeepsakeVery hard and crisp with yellow flesh and an exotic sweet, spicy flavor. Good for fresh eating and cooking. The fruit will store for 6 months. The tree is of medium vigor and easy to manage. Introduced in 1978. Ripens mid-October. |
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Prairie SpyLarge, firm, dense fruit that is excellent for baking and long-term storage. The tree is very vigorous and productive. Introduced in 1940. Ripens late October. |
SnowSweet® (Wildung variety) is a registered trademark of the University of Minnesota. Frostbite™ is a trademark of the University of Minnesota.