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Apple variety

Gala

Also known as Royal Gala, Buckeye Gala

The short answer

Gala requires 400–500 chill hours[1] and grows in USDA zones 4–8[2]. It needs a pollination partner[2].

Growing facts

Gala growing facts
Chill requirement400–500 chill hours[1] (nursery figure)
HardinessUSDA zones 4–8[2]
PollinationNeeds a pollination partner, bloom group 3[2]
Harvest windowSeptember[2]
Years to bearing4–5 years (typical for apples)[3]
AppearanceLarge, red over a yellow background; crisp with a mild sweet-tart flavor[4]
Gala appleSpecies illustration — no historical watercolor exists for this cultivar

Pollination partners

Gala blooms in group 3. The closest bloom-time matches make the most reliable partners:

Show 27 more compatible varieties

Notes

  • Mid-season bloom; needs a compatible pollinizer for good fruit set.[2]
  • Highly susceptible to fire blight; site for good air movement and prune to manage.[5]
  • Highly susceptible to apple scab; expect a spray program in wet climates.[5]

A year with your Gala

When the work happens for an apple in USDA zone 6, anchored to typical frost dates.

Months for pruning, thinning, spray-timing windows, and harvest for Apple in zone 6
TaskJFMAMJJASOND
Prune—————————
Thin——————————
Spray timing——————
Harvest——————————
Care———————————

See the full month-by-month apple calendar for zone 6 →

Can I grow Gala where I live?

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

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

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Questions

How many chill hours does Gala need?
Gala needs 400–500 chill hours.
What hardiness zones suit Gala?
Gala grows in USDA zones 4–8.
Is Gala self-pollinating?
No — Gala needs a compatible pollination partner nearby.

Sources

  1. [1] Dave Wilson Nursery. Apples — DWN Variety Finder product list — accessed July 2026
  2. [2] Utah State University Extension. Apple Production and Variety Recommendations for the Utah Home Garden — 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
  4. [4] NC State Extension (NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox). Malus domestica 'Gala' — accessed July 2026
  5. [5] Cornell University (College of Agriculture & Life Sciences). Disease Susceptibility of Common Apples — Apple Variety Database — accessed July 2026