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Apple variety

Granny Smith

The short answer

Granny Smith requires 400 chill hours[1] and grows in USDA zones 5–8[2]. It needs a pollination partner[2].

Growing facts

Granny Smith growing facts
Chill requirement400 chill hours[1] (nursery figure)
HardinessUSDA zones 5–8[2]
PollinationNeeds a pollination partner, bloom group 3[2]
Harvest windowOctober–November[2]
Years to bearing4–5 years (typical for apples)[3]
USDA pomological watercolor of Granny Smith apple
Malus domestica: Granny SmithUSDA pomological watercolor, Royal Charles Steadman, 1925 · USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

Plate provenance[4]

Pollination partners

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

Show 27 more compatible varieties

Notes

  • Very long season; needs a long, warm autumn to ripen fully (late Oct into Nov).[2]
  • Very susceptible to fire blight.[2]
  • Highly susceptible to apple scab and powdery mildew; resistant to cedar-apple rust.[5]

A year with your Granny Smith

When the work happens for an apple in USDA zone 7, anchored to typical frost dates.

Months for pruning, thinning, spray-timing windows, and harvest for Apple in zone 7
TaskJFMAMJJASOND
Prune—————————
Thin——————————
Spray timing——————
Harvest——————————
Care——————————

See the full month-by-month apple calendar for zone 7 →

Can I grow Granny Smith where I live?

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

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

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Questions

How many chill hours does Granny Smith need?
Granny Smith needs 400 chill hours.
What hardiness zones suit Granny Smith?
Granny Smith grows in USDA zones 5–8.
Is Granny Smith self-pollinating?
No — Granny Smith 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] USDA National Agricultural Library. USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection (Rare and Special Collections, 1886-1942) — accessed July 2026
  5. [5] Cornell University (College of Agriculture & Life Sciences). Disease Susceptibility of Common Apples — Apple Variety Database — accessed July 2026