Varieties
The Maine State Pomological Society will hold the 20th annual Maine Apple Sunday on September 8, 2019 with participating orchards around the state. Maine Apple Sunday starts the peak of the apple harvest when summer apples are still available but the main crop is ready for its first pick. Apple orchards from Wells to Caribou will celebrate by offering special activities and free samples of apple products.
Cortland
Great multi-purpose apple. Good apple picking dates would be: late September to mid-October.
Honeycrisp
Originated in Minnesota in 1961. Very crisp and juicy. Picking dates: mid-September to early October.
Jersey Mac
Originated in New Jersey from a cross between July Red and an unnamed apple selection. Ripens in mid-August
Empire
From a cross of McIntosh and Delicious. Mildly tart-sweet. Excellent for snacks and cooking. Ripens in October.
Gala
From New Zealand from a cross between Golden Delicious and Kidd’s Orange Red. Ripens in mid-September.
Jonagold
From a cross of Jonathan and Golden Delicious in 1943. Great for eating fresh. Ripens in mid-October.
Fortune
Bred from Schoharie Spy and Empire in New York. Great for eating and in pies. Ripens in mid-October.
Gingergold
Actually found as a chance seedling in Virginia. Great for eating fresh. Ripens in late August.
McIntosh
Slightly tart and a very aromatic apple. Picking dates: mid-September to mid-October.
Macoun
Highly regarded in the northeast for flavor. Excellent for snacks. Picking dates: early to late October.
Northern Spy
Originated in NY around 1800 of unknown parentage. Tart flavor and great fresh or in pies. Ripens in late October.
Paulared
Originated as a chance seedling in Michigan. Tart flavor, good for eating fresh. Ripens in late August.
Astrachan
Originated in Europe and possibly Sweden. Great for eating fresh and in pies. Ripens in August.
Baldwin
Originated in Massachusetts around 1750 and was once a leading variety in New England. Ripens in mid-October.
Black Oxford
Originated in Oxford County, Maine around 1790. Balanced flavor and firm flesh. Ripens in late October.
Blue Pearmain
Originated in the United States around 200 years ago. A wonderful a mild flavor and coarse texture.
Brock
Originated in 1934 from a cross between McIntosh and Golden Delicious, at the University of Maine. Ripens mid-October.
Chenango Strawberry
Dates back to the 1850’s. Named for the shape of its fruit. Very aromatic and ripens in September.
Duchess of Oldenburg
Originally from Russia, now grown in Maine for its winter hardiness. Tart flavor, great in pies. Ripens in late August.
Gravenstein
Grown in Europe since the 1600’s. Parentage is unknown. Tart flavor. Great in pies. Ripens in early September.
Lady Apple
Originating in France hundreds of years ago. Was once popular during the holidays in the Northeast. Delicate flavor.
Mutsu
Originated in Japan from a cross between Golden Delicious and Indo. Flavorful, thus popular for eating fresh.
Nodhead
Thought to originate in New Hampshire in the 1850’s. Sweet flavor. Good for eating and in cider. Ripens in October.
Spencer
From British Columbia as a cross between McIntosh and Delicious. Good for eating fresh. Ripens in mid-October.
Snow Apple
Old variety with unknown origin. Believed to be one of the parents of McIntosh. Ripens in early October.
Winter Banana
Originated in Indiana around 1870. Mild flavor, great for eating fresh. Ripens in late September.
Wolf River
Originated near the Wolf River in Wisconsin in the 1800’s. Good for eating fresh and in pies. Ripens in September.