{"product_id":"honeycrisp-apple","title":"Honeycrisp Apple","description":"\u003ch1\u003eMinnesota's Own World-Famous Apple, Grown in Your Backyard\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Honeycrisp Apple (\u003cem\u003eMalus\u003c\/em\u003e × \u003cem\u003edomestica\u003c\/em\u003e 'Honeycrisp') is the University of Minnesota's most celebrated creation — the apple that set the world standard for explosive, juicy crispness and the official Minnesota State Fruit. Bred right here for our climate, it's zone 3 hardy and disease-resistant, and while it's now grown commercially around the globe, nothing beats a Honeycrisp picked fresh from your own tree in the Upper Midwest where it belongs. Pretty white-pink blossoms in spring give way to large, sweet-tart, sensationally crunchy apples that ripen in mid-to-late September. Whether you're starting a backyard orchard in Lakeville, an edible landscape in Woodbury, or just want true homegrown Honeycrisp in Maple Grove, this is the apple Minnesotans are proudest of.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHoneycrisp Apple Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAttribute\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetail\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eMalus\u003c\/em\u003e × \u003cem\u003edomestica\u003c\/em\u003e 'Honeycrisp'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHoneycrisp Apple, Honeycrisp\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15–20 feet (standard); smaller on dwarfing rootstock\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12–18 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hours) — essential for good fruiting and flavor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate. Needs consistent moisture, especially while fruit is sizing up in summer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) — bred for cold-climate hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdaptable. Tolerates Minnesota clay-loam; prefers deep, well-drained, fertile soil.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBloom\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWhite-pink flowers in mid-spring\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHarvest\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge sweet-tart, ultra-crisp apples ripening mid-to-late September\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePollination\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot self-fertile — needs a different apple or flowering crabapple nearby that blooms at the same time\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to about -40°F — a true zone 3 apple\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow — deer love apple trees; protect the trunk and lower branches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHoneycrisp Apple Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBackyard Orchard and Edible Landscape\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHoneycrisp is the centerpiece of any Minnesota home orchard. A single tree on dwarfing rootstock fits easily into a Lakeville or Woodbury yard and can produce bushels of the state's favorite apple. Plant two different varieties for reliable cross-pollination and even bigger harvests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpring Flowers and Pollinator Forage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore the fruit comes the show: clouds of white-pink blossoms in mid-spring that draw bees and other pollinators. An apple tree pulls double duty as an ornamental flowering tree and a productive food source.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eA Taste of Minnesota Heritage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDeveloped at the University of Minnesota and named the State Fruit, Honeycrisp is a point of local pride. Growing your own connects your yard to Minnesota's celebrated apple-breeding legacy — and gives you fruit fresher than anything in a store.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Honeycrisp Apple in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApple trees are deciduous, so you have two good planting windows in the Twin Cities:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpring (late April–May)\u003c\/strong\u003e, once the ground has thawed, is ideal — the tree gets the full growing season to establish before its first winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFall (September–mid-October)\u003c\/strong\u003e also works. Plant at least six weeks before the ground freezes so roots can settle in. Avoid mid-summer planting, and never plant into frozen ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Honeycrisp Apple\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChoose a full-sun site with good air circulation, and plant a compatible pollination partner (another apple variety or a flowering crabapple) within about 50 feet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep — 2–3 times the root ball width, only as deep as the ball. Keep any graft union 2–3 inches above the soil line.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheck drainage — if water pools in the hole, break through clay hardpan or mound-plant slightly; apples dislike wet feet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackfill with the native soil mixed with 20–30% compost for fertile, well-drained footing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild a 3–4 inch water basin around the root zone to direct water to the roots; flatten it before winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch with 2–3 inches of shredded bark or wood chips kept 2 inches from the trunk, and wrap the trunk to protect against rabbits, deer, and winter sunscald.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Honeycrisp Apple in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeeks 1–2: water every 1–2 days, deep and slow. Month 1–2: every 3–4 days. Month 3 through fall: every 5–7 days during active growth, less when rainfall is adequate. Consistent moisture is especially important while fruit is developing. Stop watering 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes in late October so the tree can harden off.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEstablished Honeycrisp benefits from steady moisture during the growing season — especially mid-summer as the apples size up — for the best fruit quality. Water deeply during dry spells (2+ weeks with no rain), soaking to 6–8 inches, and keep a mulch layer to hold moisture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need a second apple tree?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — Honeycrisp is not self-fertile, so it needs a different apple variety or a flowering crabapple blooming at the same time nearby for good fruit set. Haralson is an excellent Minnesota-hardy partner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen are the apples ready?\u003c\/strong\u003e Honeycrisp ripens mid-to-late September in the Twin Cities. The apples store unusually well, keeping their crunch for months in cold storage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — it was bred at the U of M specifically for our climate and is hardy to about -40°F (zone 3).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it need spraying or special care?\u003c\/strong\u003e Honeycrisp has good disease resistance, but like all apples it benefits from annual late-winter pruning for airflow and an eye out for pests. A simple home-orchard care routine keeps it productive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHaralson Apple\u003c\/strong\u003e — a tart, ultra-hardy Minnesota apple and an ideal pollination partner for Honeycrisp.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrairiefire Crabapple\u003c\/strong\u003e — a disease-resistant flowering crabapple that doubles as an apple pollinator.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring Snow Crabapple\u003c\/strong\u003e — a fruitless flowering crabapple that still provides pollen for nearby apples.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring Flurry Serviceberry\u003c\/strong\u003e — a native tree with edible June berries for the edible landscape.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Honeycrisp Apple Trees Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlan on two trees — Honeycrisp is not self-fertile, so it needs a different apple variety or a flowering crabapple blooming nearby (within about 50 feet) to set fruit at all. Space standard trees 15–18 feet apart; dwarfing-rootstock trees can go 8–10 feet apart in a backyard orchard row. One Honeycrisp plus one Haralson is the classic Minnesota two-tree setup: they pollinate each other and stagger your harvest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHoneycrisp Apple Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e White-pink blossoms blanket the tree in mid-spring, buzzing with bees — pollination season for the fall crop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e The canopy fills out while apples size up through July and August; steady water now means bigger, crisper fruit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e The payoff — large, explosively crisp sweet-tart apples ripen mid-to-late September, with soft yellow leaf color after harvest.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardy to −40°F with sturdy bare branching; your stored Honeycrisps keep their crunch in the fridge for months.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Edible\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/haralson-apple\"\u003eHaralson Apple\u003c\/a\u003e — the ideal Minnesota pollination partner; tart baking apple to Honeycrisp's sweet eater.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairiefire-crabapple\"\u003ePrairiefire Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e — disease-resistant pink bloomer that doubles as an apple pollinator.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/spring-snow-crabapple\"\u003eSpring Snow Crabapple\u003c\/a\u003e — fruitless white crabapple that supplies pollen with no fruit cleanup.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/spring-flurry-serviceberry\"\u003eSpring Flurry Serviceberry\u003c\/a\u003e — native companion with edible June berries to round out the edible landscape.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Honeycrisp Apple Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant Honeycrisp if you have full sun (6+ hours), well-drained soil, room for two apple trees (or a crabapple partner), and the willingness to do simple annual pruning — in return you get the state's most famous apple, fresher than any store can sell it. It's not a fit for shady or soggy yards, single-tree spots with no pollinator nearby, or unfenced yards with heavy deer pressure — deer love apple trees as much as Minnesotans do.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"1.5\"BB","offer_id":54260816445745,"sku":"GT-T2568","price":343.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1.75\"BB","offer_id":54260816478513,"sku":"GT-T2569","price":370.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2\"BB","offer_id":54260816511281,"sku":"GT-T2570","price":411.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/honeycrisp-apple.jpg?v=1779426700","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/honeycrisp-apple","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}