Plant of the Week! - 10/22/26 - Honeycrisp Apple! 🍎
If you were to ask us what our top selling apple was, we'd have to say Honeycrisp. Although it is common both in grocery stores and farmers markets, we think that this apple tastes better when you grow it yourself!
The Honeycrisp Apple (Malus domestica 'Honeycrisp') is one of our most popular apple varieties, and for good reason! Known for its incredibly crisp texture, juicy flesh, and delicious sweet-tart flavor, Honeycrisp is a winner! Plus, it is super cold hardy, making it perfect for our area!
📈Quick facts:
Sun: Full sun, at least 6–8 hours daily.
Water: Deep, regular watering, especially during hot summer months.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8.
Height: Approximately 15–25 feet, depending on rootstock.
Harvest: Usually September to early October in Utah, depending on location and weather.
Pollination: Requires a different, compatible apple variety for cross-pollination.
Fruit: Large, exceptionally crisp, juicy apples with a balanced sweet-tart flavor.
What the Honeycrisp Apple look like?
In the spring, Honeycrisp trees produce clusters of beautiful white to pale-pink blossoms. Throughout the summer, the apples grow and gradually develop their colorful skin before ripening in the fall.
Honeycrisp apples are medium to large, (2.5-4") with absolutely beautiful red and pink coloring over a yellow-green background. (they are very showy apples) Inside, the apples have creamy-white flesh that is exceptionally juicy and crisp!
Honeycrisp is especially popular for fresh eating, but the apples are also wonderful in salads, pies, and other baked treats!
How to take care of Honeycrisp Apples -
Honeycrisp grows best in a sunny location with well-drained soil. (Mixing in some mulch or compost into the soil, helps with drainage and provides additional nutrients.)
Regular watering is also especially important during our hot, dry summers here in the Uintah Basin. Water deeply rather than giving the tree frequent, shallow sprinklings. (We usually suggest a twice weekly deep watering, unless the tree is planted in a yard with sprinklers.)
Prune your apple tree in late winter or early spring to remove dead or crowded branches and encourage healthy growth. Thinning excess fruit during early summer can also help produce larger apples and prevent branches from becoming overloaded. We know it can be difficult to trim that excess fruit off, but we promise it is worth it!
Aditional Information -
Pollination: Honeycrisp needs another compatible apple variety blooming around the same time to produce a good crop. Gala, or Fuji can make good pollination partners when their bloom periods overlap. Two Honeycrisp trees alone will not provide the necessary cross-pollination.
Harvesting: Honeycrisp apples typically ripen during September or early October in our area, depending on the season. Ripe apples should have already developed their coloring, and come off the branch easily when gently lifted and twisted.
A Little History: Honeycrisp was developed through a University of Minnesota apple breeding program and released in 1991! Its incredible crunch comes partly from its large fruit cells, which burst with juice when you take a bite.
Whether you're planting your first fruit tree, or adding another variety to your orchard, Honeycrisp is a wonderful choice for anyone who loves showy, fresh, & crispy homegrown apples!
To add a Honeycrisp Apple Tree to your list or read more information about it, please browse our products and search for 'Honeycrisp'. Not interested in Honeycrisp? We also carry over 20 other kinds of apple trees!
Until next week, happy planting!🌺
- Split Mountain Garden Center
