Variety fit — Georgia
Can I grow Empire apple in Georgia?
The verdict
Not recommended
- Needs about 800 chill hours; your area averages 549 and tops out near 686.
- Your zone 9a is warmer than this variety's range (zones 4–8); it may not receive reliable winter chilling.
Based on Georgia’s main growing area (31794): zone 9a, ~549 chill hours. Your exact site may differ — check your ZIP.
The numbers
| Empire chill requirement | 800 chill hours |
|---|---|
| Empire hardiness | USDA zones 4–8 |
| Georgia average chill (31794) | 549 hours (312–686 across 10 winters) |
| Georgia zone (31794) | USDA zone 9a |
Better apple choices for Georgia
These meet Georgia’s chill hours and zone comfortably:
Keep checking
Or the same verdict for another region:
Questions
- Can I grow Empire apple in Georgia?
- Probably not — Needs about 800 chill hours; your area averages 549 and tops out near 686.
Sources
- [1] Open-Meteo / Copernicus ERA5. Historical Weather API (hourly 2m temperature) — accessed July 2026
- [2] USDA / PRISM (Oregon State University). 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map — accessed July 2026
- [3] Utah State University Extension. Apple Production and Variety Recommendations for the Utah Home Garden — accessed July 2026
- [4] Dave Wilson Nursery. Apples — DWN Variety Finder product list — accessed July 2026