Apple variety
Frostbite
Also known as MN 447
Growing facts
| Chill requirement | 800–1,000 chill hours (our estimate — no published figure) |
|---|---|
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3–4[1] |
| Pollination | Needs a pollination partner[1] |
| Harvest window | September–October[2] |
| Years to bearing | 4–5 years (typical for apples)[3] |
| Appearance | Small, striped maroon-red and gold; intensely sweet, firm and juicy[1] |
Pollination partners
Plant another Apple variety with an overlapping bloom time nearby.
Notes
- An extremely cold-hardy U of M release (2008) with an intense, sugary flavor; a parent of Sweet Sixteen and Keepsake. Ripens late September to mid-October.[2]
A year with your Frostbite
When the work happens for an apple in USDA zone 4, anchored to typical frost dates.
| Task | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prune | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
| Thin | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Spray timing | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Harvest | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Care | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Can I grow Frostbite where I live?
Check the verdict for a few regions, or your exact ZIP:
Growing a Frostbite? Get its care calendar for your exact ZIP code, starting with this month’s tasks for one tree, free.
Save your first tree freeQuestions
- What hardiness zones suit Frostbite?
- Frostbite grows in USDA zones 3–4.
- Is Frostbite self-pollinating?
- No — Frostbite needs a compatible pollination partner nearby.
Sources
- [1] University of Minnesota Extension. Growing apples in the home garden — accessed July 2026
- [2] University of Minnesota (Minnesota Hardy / Horticultural Research Center). All University of Minnesota Apple Varieties — Minnesota Hardy — accessed July 2026
- [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