Granny Smith Apple
Malus domestica 'Granny Smith'
fruitThe classic green tart apple — bright lime-green skin, crisp dense flesh, and a sharp, refreshing acidity that holds up in cooking far better than sweet varieties. The gold standard for apple pies and tarts. Also excellent fresh for people who prefer tart over sweet. Granny Smith originated in Australia and is one of the most widely grown apples worldwide.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 5 days
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Harvest
~24 months
to first harvest
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
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Spacing
10-15 ft (semi-dwarf) or 18-25 ft (standard)
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Planting Depth
Graft union 2 inches above soil level
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Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Growing Details
Soil Type
Rich, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 5 – 9
When to Fertilize
Early spring before bloom; light balanced fertilizer only in years of poor growth
Fertilizer
Balanced 10-10-10 in early spring; avoid excess nitrogen which promotes disease
🌱 Growing Guide
Purchase bare-root or containerized trees and plant in early spring or fall. Granny Smith needs a cross-pollinator (most apple varieties work). In cold climates, plant in the warmest, most sheltered location — Granny Smith ripens late and needs a longer warm season than other apples. Prune annually in late winter to an open center or modified central leader form. Apply dormant oil spray to control scale and mites.
Planting Calendar
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Direct sow
Apr 15
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Projected first harvest
Oct 12 · Year 3
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
Year 1
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Nasturtium — Attracts aphid predators; deters woolly aphids from apple bark
- Chives — Deters apple scab and some fungal diseases when planted around the base
- Garlic — Planted at the drip line, deters borers and aphids
- Marigold — Deters soil nematodes and apple root pests
❌ Keep away from
Walnut
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Pheromone traps; kaolin clay spray on developing fruit; granulosis virus spray
Red sphere sticky traps; kaolin clay; harvest promptly
Rake and destroy fallen leaves; copper or sulfur spray from green tip onward
Prune 12 inches below infection with sterilized tools; copper spray preventively in spring
🌾 Harvest & storage
Harvest when skin is fully green and fruit comes off the branch with a gentle upward twist. Granny Smiths do not turn red — judge by ease of release and firmness. Taste one from the top of the tree first where they ripen earliest. Store at 32 to 40 F with high humidity for 3 to 6 months. One of the best-storing apple varieties.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Good source of fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. High malic acid content gives the characteristic tartness and is associated with digestive health. Quercetin antioxidants are highest in the skin. One of the most studied fruits for cardiovascular and gut microbiome health.
⚠️ Toxicity & safety
Eat the flesh, not the seeds. Apple and pear seeds contain amygdalin, a cyanide-releasing compound. Swallowing a seed or two is harmless, but do not deliberately eat or crush the seeds or cores in quantity.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.