The Gala Apple is often considered the perfect "starter" apple for home gardeners. Originally from New Zealand, it is a cross between 'Kidd's Orange Red' and 'Golden Delicious'. The fruit of the Gala Apple is medium-sized with a distinctive yellow-orange skin overlaid with red striping. Its creamy-white flesh offers a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, making it ideal for snacking, fresh salads, baking, and juicing. With its thin skin and juicy flesh, Gala apples are a delightful addition to any fruit bowl or picnic basket, offering a burst of flavor with every bite. In addition to their exceptional taste. Gala apple trees are also prized for their ornamental value. In spring, these trees burst into bloom with clusters of delicate pink and white flowers, adding a touch of elegance to the landscape. As the seasons progress, the foliage of Gala apple trees provides a lush backdrop of green, creating a picturesque scene in any orchard or backyard garden. One of the many benefits of growing Gala apple trees is their ease of cultivation. With proper pruning and care, Gala apple trees can be trained into a variety of shapes and sizes, from compact dwarf varieties suitable for small gardens to standard-sized trees for larger orchards.   

Plant Care & Characteristics

Light Requirements: Full Sun. Needs at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight. Morning sun is particularly beneficial as it dries dew off the leaves, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.

Water Requirements: Moderate. Requires consistent moisture, especially during the first few years of establishment and during the "fruit swell" period in summer. Deep watering once a week is standard, though this should increase during heatwaves.

Drought Resistance: Low to Moderate. Once established, it can survive short dry periods, but a lack of water will lead to small, poor-quality fruit or premature fruit drop.

Soil Type: Loamy & Well-Drained. Prefers fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. It is slightly more tolerant of "heavy" or wet soils than some other apple varieties, but it still requires good drainage to avoid root rot.

Deer Resistance: Low. Deer love apple trees. They will graze on the leaves, the fruit, and the tender buds. Fencing or trunk guards are highly recommended.

Pollination: While often marketed as "partially self-fertile," you will get a significantly better harvest if you plant it with a partner tree. The best partners are Fuji, Granny Smith, or Honeycrisp.

Harvest: It is considered a "mid-season" apple. It is usually ready to pick in late August to early September. 

Pest/Disease Resistance: Moderate. It can be susceptible to Fire Blight, Apple Scab, and Cedar Apple Rust. Regular monitoring and preventative spray schedule are often needed.