Apples in the tropical south were almost nonexistent up until 30 years ago . Like peaches, nectarines and plums, apples need a certain amount of winter chill to set fruit. Florida's hot, humid summers also limit us to the summer ripening varieties, as low chill fall ripeners usually rot before ripening.

The first true breakthrough in apples came with the Israeli releases ANNA and EIN SHEMER. ANNA has proven itself to be one of the very best for our region. And it's now being used in Dr. Wayne Sherman's University of Florida breeding program, which released TROPIC SWEET and hopefully many more to come. We've also found some new varieties and heirloom apples from this zone and are stocking four this year. They are experiments, but we know they are tasty ones.

Tropical apples are unique as the textures of the fruits are very crispy. Their flavor ranges from the sharp flavors of apples like Granny Smith, to sweet overtones, like Gala. Growing your own fruit allows you to choose varieties with the taste that best suits your personal pallet. Pick ANNA on the green side for a Granny Smith-like flavor, or allow it to ripen to a beautiful yellow for a rich, sweet, Gala-like flavor. All of these apples lend themselves well to both fresh eating or cooking.

We're also including the heirloom crabapple we've just found and propagated here (courtesy of one of our great customers-- thanks again!!) and a flowering crabapple that performs well for us in North Florida.

   Click Here for the 2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to find out your areas hardiness zone.
   Want to learn more about chill hours in your area? If you live in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina or South Carolina, try the Agroclimate.org link.

ANNA Very large, beautiful red-blushed apples that are shaped just like a Red Delicious. We call this our "Fire Cracker" apple because it's always ripe by the Fourth of July, and the flesh is so firm and juicy it actually crackles when you bite into it. Ripens late June-early July. Use DORSETT GOLDEN or TROPIC SWEET for cross pollination. 250 chill hours. Zones 8B-9B. $29.99 3 gal (4-5ft).

DORSETT GOLDEN A beautiful, sweet, pale yellow apple slightly blushed with pink. Originally found growing in the Bahamas, this variety was brought to Florida and found to be an excellent pollinator for the ANNA apple. Like JONATHAN in texture and flavor. Ripens mid June-mid July. Use ANNA or TROPIC SWEET for cross pollination. 100-200 chill hours. Zones 8B-10. $29.99 3 gal (4-5ft).

TROPIC SWEET New University of Florida release. Super sweet, low-acid fruit. Taste is very similiar to a Golden Delicious. Pale yellow, with a rosy red blush. Excellent production. Ripens late June. Use ANNA or DORSETT GOLDEN for pollination. 250 chill hours. Zones 8B-9B.
$32.99 3 gal (4-5ft).

JOY'S APPLE Found a little north of Tallahassee, the tree is healthy (without any maintenance!) and appears to be self-fertile since there are no other apples in the area. The fruit is crispy and green blushed with yellow. It ripens in late June into July. We don't know its story, but we do know it's delicious. Great choice for an organic grower. Found in Zone 8B. Self-fertile. Estimated 500 chill hours. $32.99 3 gal (4-5ft).

SHELL APPLE Originating in Alabama, this was developed by Mr. Green Shell (born 1841). Mr. Shell had an apple orchard in Escambia County, shipping boxcars of crisp, somewhat tart, green apples north in July. Grown in Zone 8B and rediscovered and propagated recently. Does not need cross pollination. Great choice for an organic grower. Self-fertile. Estimated 600-650 chill hours.
$32.99 3 gal (4-5ft).

PROFUSION CRABAPPLE This ornamental beauty has clouds of dark pink flowers fading to pale pink in the spring. Grow just like apples. New foliage is purple fading to green. Small fruit. Zone 7-8B. $29.99 3 gal (4-5ft).

Just the Facts

Are we out of what you are looking for? Email us at Justfruits@hotmail.com and we'll put you on the "Call When Available" list. We will call you!

Please come to see us if you can (Wednesday to Sunday, 9:05-5:08). We are located 19 miles south of Tallahassee, just off US Highway 98, 1 mile east of the intersection with US Highway 319 (South of Crawfordville center and actually in the village of Medart). If you need further directions, feel free to call us at 1-850-926-5644 or enter 30 Saint Frances St. Crawfordville FL 32327 (or Just Fruits Nursery) into Google Maps ( CLICK HERE).