Prairie Spy is a beautiful red apple with cream-colored streaks running across the skin of this large fruit. Originally developed in Minnesota to be the commercial apple variety that could sustain apple orchards in cold climates. Prairie Spy was meant to be the cultivar that growers could produce in regions generally considered to be too cold and harsh for commercial apple production! This delicious cultivar is incredibly sweet when it reaches peak ripeness and is great for fresh eating, baking and cooking! Over the years, newer cold-hardy apple varieties have become more popular, but Prairie Spy still remains an excellent choice for homegrown, sweet, and flavorful apples. From Montana to New York, Prairie Spy is still widely enjoyed by home orchardists today! Since it's tolerant of the cold, Prairie Spy ripens between late September and early October. This fruit typically reaches peak flavor after other apples have fallen off the tree, allowing growers of Prairie Spy to extend their fruit harvest season by up to 30 days! Prairie Spy is an incredibly resilient and well-flavored apple variety that has been widely planted and enjoyed for almost a century!
What’s great about the Prairie Spy Apple Tree?
- A beautiful red apple with cream-colored streaks running across the skin of this large fruit!
- This apple was developed for orchards to grow in regions too cold for commercial apple production.
- Incredibly sweet at peak ripeness making this apple great for fresh eating, baking and cooking!
- From Montana to New York, Prairie Spy is widely enjoyed by home orchardists in many cold climates!
- Attains peak flavor after other apples have fallen, extending harvest season by up to 30 days!
Cold Hardiness Zones |
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
Min. Temperature |
-40° F, (-40° C) |
Self-Pollinating |
No
|
Botanical Name |
Malus domestica 'Prairie Spy'
|
Mature Height (ft.) |
10' - 15' |
Mature Width (ft.) |
8' - 12' |
Harvest Season |
Late Summer through Fall |
Recommended Spacing (ft.) |
8' - 20' |
Best Seasons to Plant for Zones 7 - 11 |
Fall through Spring |
Best Seasons to Plant for Zones 2 - 6 |
Spring |
Optimal Soil Condition |
Acidic - Neutral |
Blossom Fragrance |
Mild |
Blossom Color |
White |
Fruit Color |
Red over Yellow Russet
|
Tasting Notes |
Juicy, sweet, slightly tart
|
Flesh Color |
White |