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Variety fit — Georgia

Can I grow Jonathan apple in Georgia?

The verdict

Not recommended

  • Needs about 700 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

Jonathan requirements vs. Georgia climate
Jonathan chill requirement700–800 chill hours
Jonathan hardinessUSDA zones 4–8
Georgia average chill (31794)549 hours (312–686 across 10 winters)
Georgia zone (31794)USDA zone 9a
USDA pomological watercolor of Jonathan apple
Malus domestica: JonathanUSDA pomological watercolor, Ellen Isham Schutt, 1912 · USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

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 Jonathan apple in Georgia?
Probably not — Needs about 700 chill hours; your area averages 549 and tops out near 686.

Sources

  1. [1] Open-Meteo / Copernicus ERA5. Historical Weather API (hourly 2m temperature) — accessed July 2026
  2. [2] USDA / PRISM (Oregon State University). 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map — accessed July 2026
  3. [3] Utah State University Extension. Apple Production and Variety Recommendations for the Utah Home Garden — accessed July 2026
  4. [4] Dave Wilson Nursery. Apples — DWN Variety Finder product list — accessed July 2026