Apple
Can I Grow Gala?
Gala is America's most popular apple — mild, sweet, and kid-friendly with beautiful red-orange striping. Originally from New Zealand, it thrives in a wide range of climates.
Growing Requirements
Chill Hours
500
Hardiness Zones
4-5-6-7-8-9
Harvest
Late August to September
Pollination
Needs pollinator (Fuji, Granny Smith, or Red Delicious)
Results
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About Gala
Gala is America's most popular apple — mild, sweet, and kid-friendly with beautiful red-orange striping. Originally from New Zealand, it thrives in a wide range of climates.
Gala requires 500 chill hours — the number of hours between 32°F and 45°F during winter dormancy. Without enough chill, the tree may fail to flower properly or produce poor fruit.
⚠️ Common Challenges
Thin skin bruises easily during harvest; fruit size suffers without aggressive thinning.
❌ Common Misconception
Will Gala produce more fruit in colder climates?
Not necessarily. Gala only needs 500 chill hours. Planting in very cold zones (3 or colder) risks winter damage without improving fruit production. The ideal zones are 4-9 where the tree gets enough chill without excessive cold stress.
Other Apple Varieties
Plan Your Orchard
Log pruning, spraying, and harvests. See what you did last season. All your trees in one place.
Start Tracking Free →Chill hour data from Open-Meteo Historical Weather API. Variety information compiled from university extension services.