Scarlet Gala

Family: Rosaceae Fruit

Crisp as a fresh-picked jewel, Scarlet Gala brings a bright, candy-scarlet blush over a smooth, pale-gold base—so fragrant you’ll want to linger with every basket.

The flesh is fine-grained and juicy, with a balanced sweet-tart snap that shines for fresh enjoyment and also makes a standout choice for sauces and preserves when you want that vivid red character to carry through. Grow Scarlet Gala for a long, satisfying season and a harvest that looks as beautiful as it tastes.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 150 DaysHabit: Shrub

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 18th
Harvest Begins	Sep 15th
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)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	25
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Scarlet Gala’s fine-grained, high-juice crunch stays lively under a light toss, so it reads sharp and snappy rather than fluffy. Use it when you want a candy-scarlet blush in preserves or a bright sweet-tart edge that doesn’t mute under heat.

Best Uses

thin slices for crunchy salads with a restrained dressing
fresh eating with sharp cheddar or aged cheese pairings
quick-pan apple compote for pork or brined chicken
vivid red apple preserves or jam where the color matters
coring-and-baking for a clean, juicy texture without turning mealy

Flavor Profile

sweet-tart snap fine-grained juicy bite fragrant, lightly perfumed apple character holds crispness well

Kitchen Pairings

cheddar walnuts pork cinnamon lemon juice vanilla

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I manage apple scab on Malus domestica (Scarlet Gala)?

Apple scab (Venturia inaequalis) shows as olive-green to dark lesions on leaves and scabby spots on fruit, often after cool, wet weather. Remove and destroy fallen leaves, improve airflow by pruning for an open canopy, and avoid overhead watering late in the day. For control in the growing season, apply an appropriate fungicide labeled for apple scab at bud break and repeat according to the label during wet periods.

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

During active shoot and fruit development, keep the root zone evenly moist—about 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5–3.8 cm) of water per week, split into 1–2 deep irrigations. Let the top few inches of soil dry slightly between waterings, but don’t allow the soil to fully dry out, which can cause fruit drop and reduced size.

When is Scarlet Gala (Malus domestica) ready to harvest?

Harvest when the fruit background color changes from greenish to a yellow/cream base with the red blush fully developed, and the apples pull easily with a gentle lift and twist. Taste-test: the flesh should be crisp and sweet with low tartness, and seeds typically turn dark brown by readiness. In most home settings, start checking at about 140–160 days from bloom, then harvest in stages over several days.