Snowsweet Apple is a cold-hardy cultivar from the University of Minnesota that brings crisp, snow-white flesh and a bright red exterior to northern orchards. Developed and introduced in 2006, this medium to large apple ripens in mid-September and grows into a moderate-vigor tree that reaches 12 to 15 feet tall in zones 4 through 7. The real draw is its dual resistance to scab and fire blight, combined with exceptional keeping quality and a flavor profile that makes it a star in fresh eating and salads.
Full Sun
Moderate
4-7
180in H x 180in W
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High
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The flesh stays crisp and resists browning long after you cut it, a trait that makes Snowsweet exceptional for salads and fresh preparations. Unlike many apples that brown quickly when sliced, this variety holds its snowy white color and sweet-tart crunch for hours, earning top marks from orchardists in cool climates. Add disease resistance to scab and fire blight, moderate vigor with a slightly open, drooping habit, and storage life up to two months, and you have an apple that earns its place in every northern garden.
Snowsweet excels as a fresh eating apple, prized especially for salads where its resistance to browning and crisp texture shine. The white flesh and sweet-tart balance make it equally at home eaten out of hand or sliced into green salads where it stays snappy and visually striking. Its two-month storage window also supports casual home preservation without elaborate processing.
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Young apple trees should be planted in early spring or fall when dormant. Space Snowsweet trees 12 to 15 feet apart to account for mature width of 12 to 15 feet. Plant in full sun on soil with pH between 6.0 and 7.0, ensuring good drainage. Water well at planting and maintain consistent moisture through the first growing season.
Snowsweet apples ripen in mid-September. Harvest when the fruit reaches medium to large size and has fully developed its red color overlaying the white flesh. Pick by gently twisting the apple upward; fruit that releases easily is ready. Apples harvested at peak ripeness will store best and maintain their sweetness and crispness.
Snowsweet develops a naturally slightly drooping, open form with moderate vigor, so heavy pruning is unnecessary. Focus on removing dead or crossing branches and maintaining the open shape that allows good air circulation and sun penetration. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges.
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“Snowsweet is a University of Minnesota introduction, released in 2006 as part of that institution's long-running breeding program to develop cold-hardy apple cultivars suited to severe northern climates. The university's research focused on creating varieties that could withstand harsh winters while delivering excellent flavor and appearance, a mission that shaped Snowsweet's genetics from the start.”