5 Best Winter Apples for Long-Term Storage

It’s Apple season! But many Apples with thin skin won’t stick around for long and you’ll be rushing to use up your harvest. So you need good, old-fashioned storing Apples! Plus, once those early and mid-season Apples are done, you will still want a tree to fill your larders with Apples that will last through the late fall and winter!

Late-season Apples last and last, and often get better in flavor after storage! Check out some of the best late-season winter and storage Apples for your home orchard!

Honorable Mentions
Storing Apples For A Year-Round Supply
A Note About Apple Tree Pollinators
Know When to Harvest Your Apples
Tasty Long-Term Late-Season Goodness!

Your usual long-storage Apple favorites include Fuji, Red Delicious, and Gala Apple trees that have a range of harvest dates and great storage capabilities! But maybe you are looking for one that isn’t regularly sold in stores!

A good winter or long-term storage Apple needs good thick skin to resist bruising and cuts, plus help keep the flesh inside from drying out!

1. Wealthy Apple

The Wealthy Apple Tree (Malus 'Wealthy') is a very juicy apple, with a tart and sweet, lively flavor and notes of honey, raspberry, and strawberry-like flavor. It was one of the first high-quality Apple varieties grown commercially and it is now often grown by backyard orchardists and great for smaller urban landscapes in the cold North. This mid-season Apple will be full of loads of red-blushed yellow-green fruit. The flesh is white with occasional streaks of red, which is crispy and very juicy.

Very Juicy Red & Yellow-Green Apple
Stores for 2-3 Months
Semi-Dwarf Size
Great Heirloom Apple
1,000 Chill Hours

2. Mutsu (Crispin) Apple

The Mutsu Apple Tree (Malus 'Mutsu'), also known as the Crispin, is a cultivar first grown in Japan. It is a large to very large, greenish-yellow skin with a conical shape and an incredible sweet-tart flavor. Crisp and juicy with an alluring hint of tartness, the Mutsu has a unique exotic flare. Some say the flavor is closer to apple cider. Storing for a very long time, these are prolific producers! The Mutsu apple tree provides its bounty in September, and what a bounty it is! It has creamy white flesh and is delicious when eaten right off the tree, or stored for later use.

Large to Very Large Green-Golden Fruit
Sweet-Tart Crispy Flavor
500-600 Chill Hours
Very Long Storage & Late Season Harvest
Baking, Pies, Sauces, & Salads

3. Red Rome Beauty Apple

Rosy red round fruit, the Red Rome Beauty Apple Tree (Malus domestica 'Rome') is a medium-large, Apple with lovely greenish-white, fine-grained, juicy flesh that is perfect for baking because it holds together great when cooked! These spur-bearing trees are named after the Ohio town where this chance seedling was discovered.

Hardy throughout USDA growing zones 6 through 9, you can try pairing with an early season and a late season ripening Apple tree to extend your harvest! The late-arriving fragrant blossoms show up later to avoid lingering spring frosts to ensure an abundant crop by September to October.

Flavorful Rosy Red Round Apples
Fine-Grained Greenish-White Flesh
Tart Long Storing Late Season Fruit
Fantastic Firm Texture For Baking & Preserves
Harvest September to October
700 Chill Hours

4. Granny Smith Apple

One of the best-known Apple varieties for baking, and cooking, the Granny Smith Apple Tree (Malus 'Granny Smith') enjoys a long history of embodying an Apple with exceptional tartness for fresh eating and baking qualities! The greenish-white flesh is crisp and juicy! The juicy, white flesh is likewise energizing, with a crisp, tart flavor that's perfect for award-winning pies, culinary dishes...or just right off the tree!

Its lovely, light-green skin (occasionally with a subtle, pink blush) presents a vibrant sight amid the branches in October, and in some growing zones can still be harvested until January! Storing remarkably well, these fruits remain crisp in cold storage or refrigeration for up to 6 months!

Popular Green-Skinned Baking Apple
Crisp Greenish-White Flesh
Delicious Tart Apples
Perfect Baking Apple - Holds Shape Well
Late-Season Harvest & Stores 6 Months in Cold Storage!
~400 Chill Hours

5. Arkansas Black

Outstanding color and flavor, with unique fruit on a gorgeous ornamental, the Arkansas Black Apple Tree (Malus 'Arkansas Black') will be full of dark red, nearly-black gems! This antique variety is a hardy and long-lived tree! The flavor is described as wine and honey, with hints of almonds and a mild vanilla finish, making them amazing dessert apples! It develops its best flavor after it has been stored chilled for a couple of months where it will darken and ripen where it sweetens.

Dark Purple-Red Skin & Pure White-Flesh
Late-Season Harvest
Can Store 5 Months or More

Honorable Mentions

The Frostbite Apple is an extremely cold-hardy variety with sugar-sweet crisp fruit! Typically ripe late in the season in September to October, and then the red round fruit lasts 3 months in storage.
For a late-season Apple with a very long hang time, the Jonagold is a standout sweet fruit!

Storing Apples For A Year-Round Supply

There are a few key points to remember when starting to store your Apple harvest!

Apples must be of the best quality - no blemishes, bruises, or broken skin
Clean your fruit well and dry the skin completely
Wrap clean and dry Apples in newspaper or other clean wrapping
Dry skin but higher air humidity
You can wrap them in a plastic bag in a lower-humidity location
Basements or cellars are great locations, crisper drawers or cardboard boxes

Ideal storage conditions must include cool, dark locations above freezing with high humidity. Check your harvest frequently and immediately remove any that are bruised, showing signs of rotting, or spotting.

A Note About Apple Tree Pollinators

Some Apple trees are self-fruitful or partially self-pollinating, every fruiting variety does better with a friend! By planting in groupings, linear hedgerows, and high-density plantings, you’ll enjoy a far larger harvest per tree when planting your Apple with a pollination partner planted nearby.

Know When to Harvest Your Apples

Knowing when your Apple variety is typically ripe is the first step. It helps to know if you are growing an early, mid, or late-maturing Apple so you have an idea of when to start checking. Different apple varieties have different ripening dates, which can vary from year to year depending on the weather and your growing zone.

While picking one and taking a bite can let you know if it's time to harvest, there are a few other indicators that let you know when the time is right.

Look for unbruised Apples that feel firm and heavy in your hand. The fruit should be firm and richly colored. The Apple should come off the tree easily when slightly pulled back from the fruiting spur on the tree. Cut the Apple in half to check for white flesh and if the seeds are brown. Then taste it … it should not be strongly sour or pithy.

Your local County Extension Office can be a good source for knowing when Apples are ripening in your area so check with them.

Check out all of Nature Hills' #ProPlantTips on caring and maintaining your Apple tree for the healthiest plants, the most fruit, and a long lifetime of fruit!

Tasty Long-Term Late-Season Goodness!

Get ready to enjoy your harvest all year long! Imagine still having tasty Apples during the off-season or as winter and holiday gifts for your loved ones!

All of Nature Hills’ fruiting trees and shrubs are shipped with mature 3-4-year-old root systems so you’ll enjoy fruit sooner! Find all these late-season and storage Winter Apple Tree varieties and more here at Nature Hills Nursery!

Happy Planting!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which apple varieties hold up the longest in cold storage through winter?

For the longest cold storage, Mutsu (Crispin) and Red Rome Beauty are standout performers, with Mutsu in particular known for its very long storage life after its late September harvest. Tried-and-true favorites like Fuji, Red Delicious, and Gala also offer excellent keeping quality through winter. The key to any long-storing Apple is thick skin that resists bruising and prevents the flesh from drying out. Choose a late-season variety suited to your chill hours and harvest at peak ripeness for the best results in storage.

When is the right time to harvest apples intended for long-term winter storage?

Apples intended for long-term storage should be harvested at the right stage of maturity, which varies by variety but generally falls in the late season, with many storage apples ready in September through October. A good indicator of harvest readiness is when the fruit separates easily from the branch with a gentle twist, the seeds have turned brown, and the skin has developed its full color and thickness. Picking too early can result in poor flavor and texture, while waiting too long increases the risk of bruising and reduced storage life. Check your specific variety's expected harvest window and sample a few fruits for flavor and firmness before bringing in your full harvest.

How should I store apples at home to keep them fresh through winter?

Store apples in a cool, dark location between 32 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit with high humidity, such as a basement, root cellar, or second refrigerator. Late-season storage varieties like Mutsu, Wealthy, and Red Rome Beauty are bred with thick skins that resist bruising and moisture loss, giving them a natural advantage that can extend shelf life from two months up to several months depending on the variety. Check stored apples regularly and remove any that show soft spots or decay, since one bad apple truly will spoil the others. For best results, wrap individual apples in newspaper or store them in a single layer to prevent bruising and extend your harvest well into winter.

What are the best winter apple varieties for long-term storage in a home orchard?

The best winter apple varieties for long-term home orchard storage include Wealthy, Mutsu (Crispin), and Red Rome Beauty, along with popular options like Fuji, Red Delicious, and Gala. Good storing apples share key traits including thick skin that resists bruising and prevents the flesh from drying out, making them ideal for late-season harvests that extend well into winter. The Mutsu, for example, is harvested in September and stores for a very long time, while the Wealthy apple stores for 2 to 3 months with its crisp, juicy flesh intact. Focus on late-season varieties with thick skins, ensure you have compatible pollinators nearby, and harvest at the right time to maximize your storage life.

Which winter apple trees grow well in small yards or compact garden spaces?

The Wealthy Apple Tree is an excellent choice for smaller urban landscapes and compact gardens, particularly in cold northern climates where it thrives with its 1,000 chill hour requirement. This semi-dwarf variety produces abundant red-blushed yellow-green fruit mid-season and stores well for 2 to 3 months. Visit Nature Hills to explore semi-dwarf and dwarf rootstock options that can keep any apple variety more manageable for tight spaces while still delivering a serious harvest.

How much sun do winter apple trees need to produce fruit that stores well?

Apple trees require full sun, meaning at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day, to produce the high-quality fruit that stores well through winter. Adequate sun exposure encourages the development of thick skin, high sugar content, and firm flesh, all of which are essential for long-term storage. Site your apple tree in the sunniest spot available in your yard, away from shade cast by buildings or larger trees, to ensure your harvest reaches its full flavor and storage potential.

What type of soil conditions help winter apple trees thrive and produce quality fruit?

Winter apple trees perform best in well-drained, loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5, as overly compacted or waterlogged conditions will stress the roots and reduce fruit quality. Most apple varieties also need full sun exposure, meaning at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily, to develop the thick skins and sugars that make late-season storage apples so exceptional. Before planting, test your soil and amend with compost to improve drainage and fertility, and avoid low-lying frost pockets that can damage blossoms in spring.

Do winter apple trees need a pollinator partner nearby to produce a good crop?

Most apple trees, including popular winter storage varieties, are not self-fertile and require a compatible pollinator nearby to set a full crop. You will generally need two different apple varieties that bloom at the same time planted within 50 feet of each other for best results. Check the pollinator requirements for your specific variety before planting, and if space is limited, a crabapple tree can often serve as an excellent universal pollinator for most apple varieties.

How often should I water winter apple trees during the growing season?

Winter apple trees generally need about 1 to 2 inches of water per week during the active growing season, either from rainfall or supplemental irrigation. Young trees in their first two years require more consistent moisture to establish strong root systems, so check soil moisture at a depth of 4 to 6 inches and water deeply when it feels dry. In hotter climates or during drought conditions, increase frequency rather than volume to keep roots evenly moist without waterlogging. Apply water at the drip line of the tree rather than against the trunk, and consider a 3-inch layer of mulch to retain soil moisture between watering sessions.

Can winter apple trees grow in cold climates, and which varieties handle harsh winters best?

Yes, many winter apple trees are well-suited to cold climates, and some actually require significant chill hours to produce fruit properly. The Wealthy Apple is an excellent choice for northern gardeners, requiring 1,000 chill hours and thriving in cold regions while producing fruit that stores for 2 to 3 months. The Mutsu (Crispin) Apple is another strong performer with 500 to 600 chill hours required and a late-season harvest in September that yields fruit with exceptional long-term storage. Check the chill hour requirements for your specific region and match them to your chosen variety to ensure a successful harvest each year.

Top 5 Best Winter Apples for Storing!