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Apple variety

Dorsett Golden

The short answer

Dorsett Golden requires 250 chill hours[1] and grows in USDA zones 5–10[2]. It needs a pollination partner[1].

Growing facts

Dorsett Golden growing facts
Chill requirement250 chill hours[1]
HardinessUSDA zones 5–10[2] (nursery figure)
PollinationNeeds a pollination partner[1]
Harvest windowMay–June[1]
Years to bearing4–5 years (typical for apples)[3]
AppearanceGolden skin with a light red blush; firm flesh[1]
Dorsett Golden appleSpecies illustration — no historical watercolor exists for this cultivar

Pollination partners

Plant another Apple variety with an overlapping bloom time nearby.

Notes

  • A low-chill (250-300 hr) yellow apple for mild-winter regions; ripens late May through June and pairs with Anna as a pollinizer.[1]

A year with your Dorsett Golden

When the work happens for an apple in USDA zone 8, anchored to typical frost dates.

Months for pruning, thinning, spray-timing windows, and harvest for Apple in zone 8
TaskJFMAMJJASOND
Prune————————
Thin———————————
Spray timing—————
Harvest——————————
Care——————————

See the full month-by-month apple calendar for zone 8 →

Can I grow Dorsett Golden where I live?

Check the verdict for a few regions, or your exact ZIP:

Growing a Dorsett Golden? Get its care calendar for your exact ZIP code, with email reminders.

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Questions

How many chill hours does Dorsett Golden need?
Dorsett Golden needs 250 chill hours.
What hardiness zones suit Dorsett Golden?
Dorsett Golden grows in USDA zones 5–10.
Is Dorsett Golden self-pollinating?
No — Dorsett Golden needs a compatible pollination partner nearby.

Sources

  1. [1] University of Florida IFAS Extension. Low-Chill Apple Cultivars for North Florida and North Central Florida (HS764/MG368) — accessed July 2026
  2. [2] Dave Wilson Nursery. Apples — DWN Variety Finder product list — accessed July 2026
  3. [3] Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. How soon will a newly planted fruit tree begin to bear fruit? (Yard and Garden FAQ) — accessed July 2026