When buying cultivated apples, it's not just the taste that is particularly important. Since apples belong to the rose family, they are affected by diseases such as powdery mildew, scab and fire blight. Therefore, choose varieties that are resistant.
Which apple variety is best for the home garden?
The best apple variety for the home garden depends on the desired harvest time: 'Gerlinde' for summer apples, 'Santana' for autumn apples and 'Topaz' for winter apples are good options. Look for varieties that are resistant to diseases such as scab and mildew.
Summer apples
These varieties develop fruits for immediate consumption. The apples are ready for harvest between July and September. 'Gerlinde' is a descendant of the 'Elstar' variety, which develops a sparse habit. Their fruits develop a crunchy consistency with a sweet aroma and fine acidity. The variety ensures regular yields, but is moderately susceptible to powdery mildew.
Varieties with early fruit ripening:
- 'Retina': yellow apples with a short shelf life and a sweet and sour aroma, resistant to scab
- 'White clear apple': sour-tasting fruit with reddish flesh and green-white peel
- ‘Bolero’: particularly fruity apples with smooth skin
Autumn apples
Just like summer apples, the fruits of these cultivars are also not suitable for storage. You can harvest the apples between September and October and enjoy them immediately. The 'Santana' variety, which comes from Holland and develops fruits with a sweet and sour aroma, is particularly allergy-friendly. If you don't harvest the fruits too late, they will last longer.
Delicious autumn apple varieties:
- 'Red Aloisius': typical Bavarian apple with firm flesh and intense aroma
- 'Rebella': extremely reliable variety with hard-shelled fruits; resistant to scab, mildew and fire blight
- 'Rubinola': little branched tree with finely aromatic apples
Winter apples
These varieties produce long-lasting fruits that you can store until spring. They are harvested from October to November. The fruits need to be stored for at least two months. During this time they break down their fruit acids, so that an aromatic and mild taste develops. If stored correctly, you can enjoy the fruits until February.'Topaz' is a true gemstone with a juicy, sweet aroma that is infused with a delicate acidity. This variety is considered resistant to scab, but can occasionally be affected by powdery mildew.
Varieties resistant to scab:
- ‘Resista’: crisp apples with excellent taste
- 'Red Topaz': Breeding of the 'Topaz' variety with better taste and red fruit color
- ‘Solaris’: long shelf life until May
