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Apple variety

Northern Spy

The short answer

Northern Spy grows in USDA zones 4–8[1]. It needs a pollination partner[1].

Growing facts

Northern Spy growing facts
Chill requirement800–1,000 chill hours (our estimate — no published figure)
HardinessUSDA zones 4–8[1]
PollinationNeeds a pollination partner, bloom group 4[1]
Harvest windowOctober[1]
Years to bearing4–5 years (typical for apples)[2]
USDA pomological watercolor of Northern Spy apple
Malus domestica: Northern SpyUSDA pomological watercolor, Royal Charles Steadman, 1918 · USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

Plate provenance[3]

Pollination partners

Northern Spy blooms in group 4. The closest bloom-time matches make the most reliable partners:

Show 20 more compatible varieties

Notes

  • Late bloom and late harvest; slow to come into bearing but a long-lived tree.[1]
  • Moderately susceptible to fire blight, apple scab, powdery mildew, and cedar-apple rust.[4]

A year with your Northern Spy

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 Northern Spy where I live?

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

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

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Questions

What hardiness zones suit Northern Spy?
Northern Spy grows in USDA zones 4–8.
Is Northern Spy self-pollinating?
No — Northern Spy needs a compatible pollination partner nearby.

Sources

  1. [1] Utah State University Extension. Apple Production and Variety Recommendations for the Utah Home Garden — accessed July 2026
  2. [2] 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
  3. [3] USDA National Agricultural Library. USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection (Rare and Special Collections, 1886-1942) — accessed July 2026
  4. [4] Cornell University (College of Agriculture & Life Sciences). Disease Susceptibility of Common Apples — Apple Variety Database — accessed July 2026