Apple Varieties for the Palouse
Eastern Washington is one of the premier apple-growing regions in the United States. Here are the varieties we're considering and planting at Nadeau Farms, chosen for the Pullman-area climate (USDA Zone 6b).
Why Apples Thrive Here
The Palouse offers cold winters (providing the 800–1,200 chill hours most apple varieties need), warm dry summers, and well-drained volcanic soil. These conditions produce apples with excellent sugar content and crisp texture. The low humidity also reduces fungal disease pressure compared to wetter apple-growing regions.
Variety Profiles
Honeycrisp
Harvest: September · Chill hours: ~800 · Flavor: Sweet-tart, exceptionally crisp
The most popular u-pick apple for good reason. Honeycrisp apples have an explosive crunch and balanced sweetness that's hard to beat. They do well in cooler climates and store exceptionally well — up to 7 months in proper cold storage.
Fuji
Harvest: Late September–October · Chill hours: ~600 · Flavor: Very sweet, dense
Fuji apples are the sweetest common variety, with a dense flesh that makes them excellent for fresh eating and slow to brown when sliced. They need a long growing season, which our warm Palouse summers can provide.
Gala
Harvest: August–September · Chill hours: ~500 · Flavor: Mild sweet, aromatic
An early-season apple with a mild, sweet flavor and beautiful red-orange skin. Gala is a reliable producer and one of the first apples ready each season, making it a great choice for extending the u-pick window.
Granny Smith
Harvest: October · Chill hours: ~400 · Flavor: Tart, firm
The classic baking apple. Granny Smith holds its shape in pies and crisps and offers a sharp tartness that balances well in recipes. It's also one of the best apples for long-term storage.
Gravenstein
Harvest: August · Chill hours: ~700 · Flavor: Complex, tart-sweet
An heirloom variety prized for applesauce and cider. Gravenstein apples have a complex flavor that's hard to find in modern commercial varieties. They ripen early and don't store well, which makes them perfect for u-pick — you can't get them at the grocery store.
Pollination Notes
Most apple varieties need a different variety nearby for cross-pollination. We've planned our orchard layout so that compatible pollinators bloom at the same time within bee-flight distance. For example, Fuji and Gala are excellent mutual pollinators, and Honeycrisp can be pollinated by almost any mid-season bloomer.