Plant Quick Guide
Growing Zones:
Mature Height:
Mature Width:
Sunlight:
Spacing:
Chill Hours:
Growth Rate:
Harvest Time:
Years to Bear:
Pollinator:
Does Not Ship To:
Apple Trees - Southern Living® Gala
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8.
Description
The Gala Apple is one of the most popular apple varieties worldwide, prized for its crisp, juicy texture and mild, honeyed sweetness. Developed in New Zealand from a cross between ‘Kidd’s Orange Red’ and ‘Golden Delicious,’ this variety offers exceptional eating quality straight from the tree. Its attractive red-and-yellow striped skin and long storage life make it a favorite for both home orchards and commercial growers alike.
Key Features
• Sweet Flavor: Distinctively mild, honey-sweet taste with subtle floral notes — ideal for fresh eating.
• Crisp Texture: Firm, fine-grained flesh delivers a satisfying crunch in every bite.
• Attractive Skin: Vibrant red over a golden-yellow base adds visual appeal to orchards and fruit bowls.
• Reliable Producer: Known for consistent yields and dependable performance in a wide range of climates.
• Excellent Storage Life: Keeps fresh for months under proper refrigeration, maintaining texture and flavor.
Mature Size
• Height: 12–15 feet (standard); 8–10 feet (semi-dwarf)
• Spread: 10–15 feet
• Growth Rate: Moderate
USDA Hardiness Zones
• Zones 5–9
Chill Hours
• Requires approximately 500–700 chill hours for optimal fruiting.
Care Instructions
• Sunlight: Requires full sun (6–8 hours daily) for maximum fruit color and sweetness.
• Soil: Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic loam; tolerant of a range of soils if drainage is adequate.
• Watering: Maintain consistent soil moisture, especially during fruit development; avoid waterlogging.
• Pruning: Prune annually in late winter to improve airflow, shape, and light penetration.
• Pollination: Requires cross-pollination with another compatible apple variety (e.g., Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Red Delicious) for best fruit set.
Landscape Uses
• Excellent choice for home orchards, edible landscapes, and small gardens.
• Perfect for fresh eating, salads, applesauce, and light baking.
• Adds seasonal interest with spring blossoms, colorful fruit, and autumn foliage.
With its crisp bite, beautiful coloration, and naturally sweet flavor, the Gala Apple remains a timeless favorite for gardeners and fruit lovers alike. Whether eaten fresh off the tree or incorporated into recipes, it delivers consistent quality and beauty season after season.
More Information: Apple Growing Guide
Shipping
At Plant Me Green, we carefully handle, package, and ship every order to ensure your plants arrive healthy and ready to thrive. All orders ship via FedEx Home Delivery®, typically the next business day after checkout.
- We offer $15 flat-rate shipping on all eligible orders.
- Orders over $100 ship FREE.
- Replacement tree shipments are $15 per box.
Plant Me Green ships from multiple nursery locations, including Oregon, Tennessee, and Florida. If your order contains items from more than one location, plants may ship separately and arrive at different times.
🚨 Please note: We are unable to hold orders. To ensure your plants arrive at the right time, please place your order as close as possible to when you would like to receive it.
If you have any questions concerning transit time for your order, please feel free to contact us at info@plantmegreen.com or toll free 855-817-5268.
Due to strict agricultural laws, we cannot ship to the following locations:
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Alaska
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Hawaii
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Puerto Rico
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International destinations
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California and Arizona orders are limited to approved items only and may not apply to all products.
How to Plant
STEP 2) Once you've located the perfect spot, the hole you are digging must be at least double the width and as deep as the root system you are planting.
STEP 3) Remove the plant from the pot and place the root ball in the hole. The top of the root system should be level with the ground. Before placing the tree or shrub in the hole, use your hands to gently break up the root system.
STEP 4) Once the plant is in place, backfill the hole with native soil and any leftover potting material.
STEP 5) Pack down the soil to eliminate any air pockets.
STEP 6) When finished, water thoroughly.
Care Guide
