King Jonagold

Family: Rosaceae Fruit

Crisp as fresh-cut glass, King Jonagold brings a bright, honeyed sweetness wrapped in a tart, rosy snap—its flavor blooms most vividly when the fruit is fully colored.

The flesh is fine-grained and juicy, with a satisfying crunch that holds through every bite, making it a standout heirloom for gardeners who love a showy, reliable harvest. Grow King Jonagold for a handsome, deep-red to golden-amber apple with a classic, aromatic presence—ideal for fresh enjoyment and for turning into fragrant preserves and sauce-worthy favorites.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 180 DaysHabit: Shrub

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

Crop Dates

Growing note: Zone 6b has only 174 frost-free days — shorter than this crop's 180-day maturity. Outdoor planting is not viable; use protected cultivation.

Milestone	Date
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Growing Approach	Protected Environment Only

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	180
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Shrub
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	60
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	40
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

King Jonagold hits with a honey-bright sweetness backed by a real tart snap, so it doesn’t turn fluffy—it stays crisp and juicy even once heated. Use it where you want apple to read as crunchy and aromatic, not mushy, whether that’s a tart slice or a sauce that still tastes like fruit.

Best Uses

raw slices that stay crisp under a squeeze of lemon
slow-simmered apple sauce with a rosy edge
punchy preserves where the pieces hold their shape
warm bakes—tarts or skillet crumbles—where it keeps a clean bite

Flavor Profile

honeyed sweetness tart, rosy snap fine-grained juicy crunch aromatic apple perfume

Kitchen Pairings

sharp cheddar brandy or Calvados cinnamon vanilla pork (especially roasted or braised) salted butter

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I manage apple scab (Venturia inaequalis) on Malus domestica (King Jonagold)?

Apple scab shows as dark, velvety spots on leaves and can lead to premature leaf drop on Malus domestica. Remove and destroy fallen leaves each season, and apply a labeled fungicide early at bud break/first green-tip stage and again according to label timing during wet periods. Improve airflow by pruning for an open canopy and avoid overhead irrigation to keep foliage drier.

How often should I water King Jonagold while it’s actively growing (spring through summer)?

During active shoot and fruit growth, keep the root zone consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week depending on rainfall and soil drainage. Water deeply to wet the soil to the root depth, usually 2–3 times per week in hot weather if you’re not getting rain, and reduce frequency once fruits finish sizing to avoid disease-prone, overly wet conditions.

When is King Jonagold (Malus domestica) ready to harvest?

Harvest timing for Malus domestica is best judged by fruit color and taste: King Jonagold is typically ready in mid to late fall when the background color is yellow-gold and the red blush is fully developed. Confirm ripeness by sampling fruit—when it tastes sweet-tart with good crunch and seeds are dark brown, pick regularly and don’t wait for fruit to over-soften on the tree.

King Jonagold

Planting Schedule

Crop Dates

Crop Details

Culinary Notes

Frequently Asked Questions