Roxbury Russet

Family: Rosaceae Fruit

Aromatically rich and warmly russeted, Roxbury Russet brings a deep, earthy sweetness with a lightly tart edge—its flesh stays crisp and fine-grained for satisfying bite after bite.

The skin is a handsome patchwork of muted russet over a sun-kissed blush, developing beautifully in the home orchard and offering a classic, old-fashioned character that shines in autumn. Grow Roxbury Russet for fresh enjoyment and for making memorable cider and fragrant sauces that capture its distinctive, cellar-worthy flavor.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 120 DaysHabit: Shrub

Botanical illustration of Roxbury Russet

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)	65
Min Soil Temp (°F)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	30
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Roxbury Russet tastes like autumn in a glass—warmly sweet but kept honest by a tart edge, and its fine-grained crispness holds up better than softer dessert apples. It’s the kind of apple that makes cider and pan reductions smell like a cellar door, then land with clean, biting texture on the tongue.

Best Uses

fresh-eating slices with cheddar and nuts
small-batch cider or hard cider with a cellar-like, warm finish
quick pan sauces for pork or roast chicken (reduce until glossy)
baking where you want chunks that stay structured, not mealy

Flavor Profile

earthy, deep sweetness lightly tart, mouthwatering snap fine-grained crispness

Kitchen Pairings

sharp cheddar pork (chops or roast) walnuts cinnamon fresh lemon juice

Frequently Asked Questions

What pests or diseases most commonly affect Malus domestica (Roxbury Russet) and how can I control them at home?

Watch for apple scab (olive-brown spots that turn dark and cause leaf drop) and fire blight (black, wilted shoots that look scorched). Remove and destroy infected leaves/fruits and prune out dead/diseased twigs into healthy tissue; disinfect tools between cuts. During the growing season, use an appropriate labeled fungicide for apple scab early in leaf-out and a fire-blight-pruning approach promptly when symptoms appear (avoid late heavy pruning or excess nitrogen).

How often should I water Roxbury Russet apple trees during the main growing phase?

During active shoot and fruit development, water deeply about 1–2 times per week depending on rainfall, aiming for consistently moist (not soggy) soil. Use a slow trickle at the drip line so moisture reaches the root zone, then let the top few inches dry slightly before the next watering to prevent root stress. Mulch around the tree helps stabilize moisture, but keep mulch a few inches away from the trunk.

How do I know when Roxbury Russet (Malus domestica) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the background skin color shifts from greenish toward yellow and the russet/brown finish deepens, typically around 120 days after bloom depending on conditions. Pick a few fruit from different sides of the tree—ready apples release easily with an upward twist and the seeds inside are dark brown. Avoid waiting for full softening; early harvest followed by short storage often improves flavor for apples.