Be sure to call ahead as some orchards can reserve a tree for pickup closer to planting time. At harvest, the flavor of McIntosh is quite tart but the taste mellows during cold storage. Also, the later the apples are harvested, the sweeter they will be. The resulting fruit ripens by mid to late September. The round, red, mildly tart fruit has a juicy, tender texture when cooked, making it ideal for pies, dumplings, tarts and more. Inspect the tree every so often for any signs of disease or insects. We found that it was not tart and its texture was not as mealy as the McIntosh. The McIntosh style is typified by attractive dark red or (more often) crimson colours, and a crunchy bite, often with bright white flesh. One month after planting a new tree, fertilize with a nitrogen rich fertilizer. This fruit is one of the most classic varieties with its red and green speckled skin, soft flesh, and old-fashioned apple cider flavor. McIntosh (or Macintosh) is one of the great North American apples. These apples are often a bit lopsided, but that isn’t a bad thing. The fruit was fantastic both times. Mcintosh apples are a time-tested variety that have been 1 of Americas favorites since its discovery over 200-years ago. The trees are suitable for grafting and cross-pollinating other varieties. Water the tree and then continue filling in the hole. The McIntosh apple trees are extremely hardy and very productive. The earlier the fruit is harvested, the greener the skin will be and vice versa for late harvested apples. Apple Macintosh Organic, 1 Each 5.0 out of 5 stars 1. Learn all about where McIntosh Apples came from, what they taste like, what to use a McIntosh apple for, where it is grown, and fun facts about the fruit. McIntosh Apple tree produces heavy crops of small to medium-sized apples that ripen and are ready for harvest around mid-September. The percentage of green to red skin depends on when the apple is harvested. The McIntosh apple is undeniably an essential part of Canadian culture. Grow this type of apple is you live in a cold Northern climate such as Canada or New York. McIntosh achieves its best flavor in colder apple-growing regions. To produce fruit, the apples need to be cross-pollinated with a different apple variety of a crabapple. If you’re picking your own apples or just want to be able to pick them out a glance, be able to identify a McIntosh apple. Prior to planting the tree, soak the roots in water for 24 hours. McIntosh apples are exceptionally crisp and juicy with bright … This is a large, bright red apple with thin, smooth skin. Your local orchard, farmer's market, or grocery store might sell them! Its unmistakable, slightly spicy and fruity aroma makes it a favorite. In the second year of the tree’s life, fertilize the tree in the early spring and then again in April, May, and June with nitrogen fertilizer such as 21-0-0. John McIntosh was a Canadian farmer who bred the apple on his farm. by Mackintosh Fruit Farm | Apples, Fresh Produce. It's an older selection that is almost completely red with white flesh. Buying a young McIntosh seedling from your local orchard, plant nursery, or online and then planting will provide the best chance for success. Mackintosh Fruit Farm is a wonderful place to bring your family. Honeycrisp, Red Delicious, and some varieties of crabapples are all excellent choices to cross-pollinate this type of tree. This apple is known for its tender white flesh, which bakes down well. Even in the coldest parts of the country you can enjoy this heirloom apple with its red-flushed skin and crunchy pure-white flesh. Pollination partner apple varieties in our catalog McIntosh apples are a classic apple that is a good choice for baking, eating, and growing in the North. Moderately large fruit with an appetizing apple aroma. Crisp, white flesh with a tart, spicy flavor. The favorite is the Honey Crisp which we harvest Labor Day weekend. The tree will take six to ten years to reach its full size of about fifteen feet and produce fruit. This fruit also breaks down very quickly when baked, so thickeners are often recommended if it is being used in a pie. Before he discovered these apples, eating apples weren’t known to grow in his cold Canadian climate. The McIntosh apple is known for making especially good applesauce. McIntosh apples grow very well in cold climates such as New York, so some believe that the apple variety originated in New York State. A refrigerated McIntosh apple stays crisp enough to enjoy as a snack for a long time. The McIntosh Apple Tree is an extremely popular apple variety and planting your own tree so that you can enjoy tree-ripened fruit is a great decision to make. The remaining 3 apple, 4 pear and 7 cherry are doing fine. We grow a variety of apples for u-pick. Local Mid-Atlantic McIntosh Apple, Large #3. Tree is a vigorous grower and a precocious bearer. Often, McIntosh Apple crops persist into early winter, as this tree is hardy and can easily withstand colder temperatures. The fruit has been evolving for centuries: "Modern" apples have been cultivated for qualities such as shape, taste, and high production yield, but … Skin has a deep red finish that sometimes carries a green blush. The crisp, juicy fine white flesh with pink streaks is an old-time favorite in the north. Bakes up juicy and tender. But none of the 4 plum fruited due to SE Michigan late frosts in the late 90's early 00's except one year. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! If your McIntosh apples have gone past peak crispness, don’t worry. The tree sets heavy crops, is self-fertile, and blooms early. This variety of fruit is most crisp and full of flavor when it is new and fresh off the tree. Do you have any recommendations for where one might purchase McIntosh or Honeycrisp apple trees which can be transplanted into a backyard in the Minneapolis area? The photo above is a Honeycrisp apple. McIntosh are softer apples… Young apple trees should be pruned to create a strong framework. Local Northeast Empire Apples, 3 lb Bag #4. Why McIntosh apples are the best for applesauce. After the tree has soaked for 24 hours, check the depth of the hole by placing the tree inside. It tastes like tart apple cider and is incredibly juicy. Once it has been off the tree for a few weeks, it quickly loses its aromatic tart flavor. Prune the trees when they are young and about two times a year. Hope that helps! Details. McIntosh Apples are one of the softer apple varieties. These apples will still make delicious applesauce or pie. This variety of fruit is most crisp and full of flavor when it is new and fresh off the tree. The following varieties will pollinate this apple tree. A McIntosh tree is not self-pollinating. Minnetonka Orchards is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, The Health Benefits of Watermelon: Why Eating Watermelon Is Good For You. In a 3-foot (just under a meter) circle, lay a good layer of mulch around the tree to retard weeds and retain moisture. Keep in mind that McIntosh apples bruise easily and are best stored in the refrigerator due to their soft texture. The McIntosh apple is aromatic, juicy, sweet and tangy-tart. McIntosh Apples are one of the softer apple varieties. McIntosh, one of North America's truly great varieties, is a red and green apple with bright white flesh and a distinctive and refreshing flavor. At Pleasant Hill Grain we refine our product designs continually, often in ways that don't meet the eye. Our earliest apple starts in August, the Ginger Gold. The percentage of green to red skin depends on when the apple is harvested. The McIntosh Apple Tree - Malus domestica "McIntosh" : The McIntosh apple is a early and heavy producer. The apple was named after John McIntosh. The apple is tart enough to hold its own in a sweet dessert. The flavor is distinctively tangy and aromatic. Recent studies have determined McIntosh to have a low chill requirement, as well. The soft flesh of the apple makes it a perfect choice for applesauce or apple pie. In comparison to the other apples we tasted, it ranked in the middle in all three categories. Lost an apple tree this year, been in place since the mid 90's. McIntosh apples are available in late fall and early winter. Once it has been off the tree for a few weeks, it quickly loses its aromatic tart flavor.