Can You Grow Apples in Zone 8?
It is possible to grow apples in hot climates like zone 8, although the variety is considerably more limited than it is in cooler areas. In order to set fruit, apple trees need a certain number of “chill hours,” or hours during which the temperature is below 45 F. (7 C.) As a rule, many apple varieties need between 500 and 1,000 chill hours. This is simply more than is realistic in a zone 8 climate. Luckily, there are a few varieties that have been specially bred to produce fruit with significantly fewer chill hours, usually between 250 and 300. This does allow apple cultivation in much warmer climates, but there is something of a tradeoff. Because these trees need so few chill hours, they are ready to blossom much earlier in the spring than their cold-loving cousins. Since they bloom earlier, they are much more susceptible to the odd late frost that can wipe out a season’s worth of blossoms. Growing low chill hour apples can be a delicate balancing act.
Low Chill Hour Apples for Zone 8
Some of the best zone 8 apple trees are:
Anna Beverly Hills Dorsett Golden Gala Gordon Tropical Beauty Tropic Sweet
Another set of good apples for zone 8 include:
Ein Shemer Elah Maayan Michal Shlomit
Cultivated in Israel, they are used to hot desert conditions and require minimal chilling.
