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Apple, Honeycrisp

Apple, Honeycrisp

$39.99 USD
$39.99 USD
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Apple 'Honeycrisp' on Geneva® 969 Rootstock – Big Flavor on a Manageable Tree

If you've ever bitten into a Honeycrisp apple, you know the experience—an explosion of juicy crunch, with just the right balance of sweet and tart. Now imagine growing that same amazing fruit in your own backyard. When grown on Geneva® 969 rootstock, the beloved ‘Honeycrisp’ apple becomes easier to grow, easier to manage, and quicker to fruit.

Whether you're a seasoned grower or planting your very first apple tree, this variety delivers the flavor and satisfaction you're looking for. Let’s walk through how to plant, care for, and enjoy your bare-root Honeycrisp tree year after year.

What Makes ‘Honeycrisp’ a Favorite?

‘Honeycrisp’ is one of the most celebrated apple varieties in the world—and for good reason. Developed for cold climates, it performs beautifully in a wide range of zones and tastes like no other apple out there.

Here’s why people love it:

  • Explosively crisp texture that lives up to its name

  • Juicy and sweet, with just a hint of tartness

  • Great fresh or in salads—it doesn't brown quickly

  • Mid-season ripening—usually September to October

  • Stores well, maintaining flavor and crunch in cold storage for months

It grows well in USDA Zones 4–8, making it a strong choice for both northern and temperate regions.

The Power of Geneva® 969 Rootstock

Pairing ‘Honeycrisp’ with Geneva® 969 rootstock turns a great tree into a garden-friendly champion. Here’s what this modern rootstock brings to the table:

  • Semi-dwarf size: Grows to 10–12 feet tall with pruning

  • Resistant to fire blight and crown rot

  • Fast fruiting—you can expect apples in just 2–3 years

  • Excellent anchoring—no floppy or unstable trees

  • Cold-hardy and adaptable to a range of soils

This rootstock helps reduce the size of what could otherwise be a large tree, making it easier to prune, manage, and harvest without sacrificing fruit quality or yield.

Shipped Bare-Root: Dormant or Leafed Out, Always Ready to Grow

Your Honeycrisp apple tree ships to you bare-root, which simply means it arrives without soil around the roots. Why?

  • Better root development—adapts faster to your native soil

  • Lighter and easier to handle

  • Shipped dormant in winter (without leaves), or

  • Leafed out bare-root during the growing season

Dormant trees look like a stick with roots when they arrive—and that’s perfectly normal. They’re just sleeping. Once planted, they wake up with the warming soil and begin growing vigorously.

How to Plant Your Bare-Root ‘Honeycrisp’ Tree

Let’s get that tree in the ground! Bare-root planting is easy and rewarding when you follow these simple steps.

When to Plant:

  • Late winter to early spring for dormant trees

  • Spring through early fall for leafed-out trees—plant immediately upon arrival

Planting Steps:

  1. Soak roots in water for 4–6 hours before planting (don’t skip this step—it rehydrates the tree).

  2. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root spread, and deep enough so roots sit naturally without bending.

  3. Position the graft union (the swollen area above the roots) 2–3 inches above the soil line.

  4. Backfill with native soil, firming gently as you go to eliminate air pockets.

  5. Water deeply right after planting.

  6. Add mulch, keeping it 2–3 inches away from the trunk.

Helpful tip: If your location is windy or your soil is loose, stake your tree for the first 1–2 years.

Growing Conditions: Light, Soil, Water

Your Honeycrisp tree will reward you with crisp, delicious apples if you give it the right care.

Light:

  • Full sun is a must—6 to 8 hours of direct light each day

Water:

  • Water deeply once a week

  • Keep the soil moist but never soggy

  • During dry spells, increase watering

Soil:

  • Prefers loamy, well-draining soil

  • Slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0 to 7.0) is ideal

  • Avoid heavy clay or overly wet areas

Fertilizer:

  • Apply a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10 or similar) in early spring

  • Don’t overdo it—especially with nitrogen, which can reduce fruiting

Pruning:

  • Prune late winter or early spring before new growth

  • Shape for an open center to improve airflow and sun exposure

  • Remove vertical shoots and any crossing branches

  • Keep tree to a manageable height for harvesting

Pollination: Partners for Bigger Harvests

Here’s a key fact: ‘Honeycrisp’ needs a pollination partner. It is not self-fertile, so you’ll need another apple variety nearby that blooms around the same time.

Top pollination partners:

  • Gala

  • Fuji

  • Golden Delicious

  • Granny Smith

These should be planted within 50 feet of each other, or you can rely on a neighbor’s tree or plant a multi-grafted apple tree for space-saving pollination.

Harvest Time: Crisp and Ready

Honeycrisp apples are typically ready for picking in September or early October, depending on your climate.

Here’s how to know they’re ripe:

  • Red to blush-pink skin with yellow undertones

  • Full-sized apples with a sweet smell

  • Apples lift off the branch easily when gently twisted

  • Bite into one—it should be firm, juicy, and bursting with flavor

Once harvested, Honeycrisp apples store 2 to 4 months in cool, humid storage.

Year-by-Year Growth Outlook

Year 1:

  • Focus is on root development

  • Some leaf growth above ground

  • Water deeply, mulch well, and avoid fruiting this first year

Year 2:

  • May flower; thin any fruits to allow the tree to grow strong

  • Prune for shape

Year 3–5:

  • Full fruit production begins

  • Expect regular, delicious harvests each fall

Why You’ll Love Growing Honeycrisp

Here’s what makes this tree such a standout:

  • One of the best-tasting apples you’ll ever grow

  • Semi-dwarf size = easy to manage and harvest

  • Geneva® 969 rootstock = disease resistance and early bearing

  • Ships bare-root = faster establishment and stronger roots

  • A showstopper in the orchard—and on the table

Planting a Honeycrisp apple tree is more than just adding another plant to your garden. It’s starting a relationship with a tree that will reward you with mouthwatering fruit, year after year. Whether you’re snacking, sharing, or baking, the first crunch of a homegrown Honeycrisp will remind you exactly why you planted it.

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