Fred Gravenstein is a stunning red and yellow apple that captures everything gardeners love about the classic Gravenstein variety, but with remarkable size, productivity, and visual appeal. Selected from trials at Washington State University's Mt. Vernon research station for its superior coloring and early ripening, this heirloom cultivar delivers the complex, snappy texture that made Gravensteins legendary. Hardy in zones 4 through 9, it reaches a mature height of 6 feet and thrives in full sun. Be aware that Fred is a triploid variety with sterile pollen, so it won't pollinate other apple trees, but its own productivity more than compensates.
Full Sun
Moderate
4-9
72in H x ?in W
—
High
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Fred's deep red blush over golden-yellow skin is striking in the orchard and on the table. The flesh remains snappy and crisp with that wonderfully complex flavor Gravenstein devotees prize. Selected specifically for its large fruit size and exceptional productivity from a rigorous trial of more than a dozen Gravenstein strains, Fred combines reliable performance with genuine beauty.
Fred Gravenstein serves double duty as both a fresh-eating apple and a cider apple. Its complex flavor makes it excellent for eating out of hand, while its early ripening positions it as one of the first significant harvests of the season. The snappy texture holds up well in cooking applications, and its productivity makes it a reliable choice for home preserving, sauce-making, and traditional cider production.
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Plant bare-root or container-grown Fred Gravenstein trees in early spring or fall, spacing them 15 to 20 feet apart depending on your rootstock (dwarfing rootstocks require less space). Choose a location with full sun exposure and excellent drainage. Harden off container trees by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over a week before planting. Dig a hole slightly wider than the root ball, set the graft union 1 to 2 inches above soil level, and backfill with native soil mixed lightly with compost.
Fred Gravenstein ripens early in the season, typically in late August or early September. Watch for the red blush to deepen and the underlying yellow background color to brighten; the fruit should feel slightly soft when gently squeezed. Pick apples by gently twisting and lifting upward, or use a harvesting pole to avoid bruising. Early-harvested apples keep longer in storage, while fully tree-ripened fruit is at peak flavor for immediate eating.
Prune Fred Gravenstein during the dormant season (late winter) to establish an open center or modified leader form that maximizes air circulation and light penetration. Remove any crossing, diseased, or downward-growing branches. Thin fruit in early summer when apples are grape-sized, removing the smallest or most misshapen specimens and spacing remaining fruit 4 to 6 inches apart to encourage larger individual fruit and reduce branch breakage from Fred's notably heavy yields.
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“Fred Gravenstein emerged from systematic variety selection at Washington State University's Mt. Vernon trials, where researchers evaluated more than a dozen Gravenstein strains to identify the most promising for commercial and home growers. Its selection was driven by a clear mission: preserve the treasured Gravenstein flavor profile while improving what mattered most to growers, larger fruit, more consistent yields, and that eye-catching red coloring that sells itself at farmers' markets and harvest tables. This careful breeding preserved the heirloom character while pushing the variety forward.”