Ginger Gold is an early-ripening apple, ready to harvest as early as July in warmer climates. Its golden-green fruit boasts a refreshing sweet-tart flavor.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Malus domestica 'Ginger Gold'

COMMON NAME: Ginger Gold Apple

GARDEN SIZE: Depends on root stock - Dwarf 8-10 ft. tall and wide, Semi-Dwarf 12-15 ft. tall and wide, Standard/Full 15-20’ tall and wide, Espalier varies with culture

USDA ZONE: 4-9

EXPOSURE: Full Sun

WATER & SOIL: Loamy & well drained soil

FOLIAGE: Deciduous; Green

BLOOM TIME: Late-midseason - Flowering Group 4

HARVEST TIME: Very early, ripens July to August

FRUIT: A sweet-tart apple with golden-green skin that gains a slight red flush when left to ripen on the tree. It ranges in tartness depending on the time harvested. Apples hold their shape well when cooked. Ginger Gold is related to Golden Delicious, and its fruit shows similar traits.

USES: Eating fresh, baking, preserving

POLLENIZATION: Not self-fertile - needs a compatible pollenization partner nearby to produce fruit. Note that this tree cannot cross-pollenize with Golden Delicious trees because of their close relation.

POLLENIZATION (Trees that pollenize this one): Colonnade Golden Sentinel, CrimsonCrisp, Fuji, Ginger Gold, Granny Smith, Hardy Cumberland, Honeycrisp, Jonathan, Pink Lady, Premier Honeycrisp, Red Delicious, Royal Red Honeycrisp, Sweet Sixteen, Urban Apple 'Blushing Delight', Urban Apple 'Golden Treat', Urban Apple 'Tangy Green', Wolf River

POLLENIZATION (Trees that are pollenized by this one): Arkansas Black, Colonnade Golden Sentinel, CrimsonCrisp, Fuji, Ginger Gold, Golden/Yellow Delicious, Granny Smith, Hardy Cumberland, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Jonathan, Pink Lady, Premier Honeycrisp, Red Delicious, Red Rome, Royal Red Honeycrisp, Stayman Winesap, Sweet Sixteen, Urban Apple 'Blushing Delight', Urban Apple 'Golden Treat', Urban Apple 'Tangy Green', Winesap, Wolf River

CARE: Prune while the tree is dormant. Remove water sprouts in June or July. Options for controlling pests, bacterial infections, and fungal disease include dormant oils applied early in the season before blooming, scented insect traps, and copper-based fungicides. DO NOT apply insecticides during blooming. This risks harming bees, which are crucial for pollination and fruit production. If necessary, fireblight can be treated with a streptomycin antibiotic spray during blooming. Apple trees need about an inch of water every 7-10 days, though young trees need a little more during their first growing season as they establish roots. If not enough rain has fallen, give the tree extra water by running a hose at a trickle around the base of the tree until the ground is fully soaked (but not for so long that there is standing water). Waterlogged roots can harm apple trees, so don't overdo it!

DISEASE RESISTANCE: Good general resistance. Some susceptibility to fireblight and very susceptible to cedar apple rust.

TOXICITY: Stems, leaves, and seeds contain cyanide and are therefore toxic to dogs, cats, horses, and humans. The fruit is non-toxic.