Mollie's Delicious

Family: Rosaceae Fruit

Crisp, honeyed fragrance rises the moment you bring Mollie’s Delicious apples close—then the flesh delivers a fine, juicy crunch with a bright, sweet-tart balance.

At maturity, the fruit wears a warm blush over a pale golden ground, offering a satisfyingly firm bite that holds beautifully for everyday enjoyment and preserves alike. Grow Mollie’s Delicious for a long-season harvest of fragrant, showy apples that shine in fresh baskets and turn especially lovely in spiced sauces and cider-style favorites.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 150 DaysHabit: Shrub

Botanical illustration of Mollie's Delicious

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	Sep 22nd
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	150
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Shrub
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	40
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Mollie’s Delicious walks the line between bright and honeyed, so it stays lively under heat instead of going flat. Its firm, juicy crunch makes it a standout for spiced applesauce and cider-style drinks where you want flavor to bloom without the apple turning to pulp.

Best Uses

fresh eating and lunchbox slices where you want bite that won’t go mealy
spiced applesauce that keeps texture through simmer
cider-style drinks—serve cold or warm with cinnamon/clove
baked apple desserts where the flesh holds shape and turns tender but not mushy

Flavor Profile

bright sweet-tart balance juicy, honeyed crunch honeyed floral fragrance fine firm flesh that stays snappy

Kitchen Pairings

cinnamon clove vanilla sharp cheddar pork dark rum

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Malus domestica (apple) and how can I treat it at home?

Apple scab (a common fungal disease on Malus domestica) shows up as dark, olive-to-brown spots on leaves and fruit, often after wet, cool weather. Remove and bag fallen infected leaves, then improve airflow with pruning and keep the canopy dry by watering at the base. If the problem persists, use an appropriate home-garden fungicide labeled for apple scab and apply according to the label timing (often starting at bud stage and repeating through high-risk wet periods).

How often should I water Malus domestica during the main growing season?

During the main growing phase, keep the root zone evenly moist—typically about 1–2 inches of water per week depending on heat and rainfall. Water deeply at the base and avoid frequent light sprinkling, which encourages shallow roots and more stress-related issues. Stop heavy watering as harvest approaches to reduce fruit splitting and help fruit finish properly on the tree.

How do I know when Mollie’s Delicious apples (Malus domestica) are ready to harvest?

Harvest when the fruit background color is set for the variety and the apples lift easily from the spur with a gentle twist. A practical test is taste/seed maturity: seeds should be fully brown, and the apple should have developed its expected flavor and crisp texture by ~150 days to maturity. If you see frequent fruit drop or skin dulling plus strong aroma, that’s a sign the harvest window is here.