Arkansas Black

Family: Rosaceae Fruit

Crisp, honeyed-tart flesh with a deep, wine-red blush—Arkansas Black apples are celebrated for their strikingly dark, almost smoky red skin and slow-ripening, cellar-worthy character.

The texture is firm and juicy, with a pleasantly bold bite that holds up beautifully for long storage and late-season enjoyment. Grow Arkansas Black for a heritage orchard feel and a harvest that rewards patience—120 days to maturity for a dramatic, richly colored apple you’ll look forward to all season.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 120 DaysHabit: Shrub

Botanical illustration of Arkansas Black

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Aug 23rd
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	120
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Shrub
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	N/A
Min Night Temp (°F)	N/A
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Arkansas Black brings a firm, storage-hardy crunch and a tart, honeyed profile that still tastes awake after heat. Use it anywhere you need apples that won’t collapse—roast, braise, or board it so the bite stays sharp and juicy.

Best Uses

thin slices on sharp-cheese boards where they stay crisp
baked/roasted apple halves—hold their shape without going woolly
dry-rub or cider-spiked braises for pork and duck where acidity cuts fat
slow-cooked apple butter or chutney for a deep, late-season caramel tang

Flavor Profile

honeyed-tart bite crisp, juicy crunch with a firm snap dark, smoky-red aromatic edge balanced acidity that stays bright even with cooking

Kitchen Pairings

sharp cheddar blue cheese dark rum or bourbon pork duck cinnamon

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I handle early blight or leaf spot on Arkansas Black tomatoes?

Inspect foliage weekly for dark, concentric spots and yellowing that starts on older leaves—Arkansas Black is prone to foliar disease in humid conditions. Remove and discard infected leaves, water at the soil line (not overhead), and increase airflow around plants. If spots keep spreading, spray a labeled copper fungicide or chlorothalonil according to the product directions, starting at first signs and repeating as instructed.

How often should I water Arkansas Black tomatoes during the main growing phase (after flowering)?

After flowering, keep soil consistently evenly moist: water deeply about 1–2 times per week, then adjust to weather so the top 1 inch of soil dries slightly between waterings. Aim for steady moisture to prevent blossom-end rot and fruit cracking—don’t let the soil swing from very dry to soaking. Use a slow, direct-soil method (drip/soaker) so moisture reaches the root zone without wetting leaves.

When is Arkansas Black ready to harvest, and how can I tell?

Harvest at about 120 days when fruits are fully colored to deep red (often with a slightly darker, richer tone) and feel heavy for their size. The blossom end should be firm, with no hard gray/black leathery area, and the fruit should come off the vine with a gentle twist. If nights cool or you see green shoulders developing, pick once the fruit is mostly colored and let it finish ripening indoors.