Granny Smith apples are a uniform bright green color and medium to large. One of the best apples for cooking, this apple is sharp and tart with a thick skin and a very crisp flesh. It’s a widely sold and recognized variety from Australia. They ripen from late September through early October. It can be stored for up to 6 months with proper conditions. They are resistant to cedar apple rust.
Granny Smiths are self-fertile but will bear larger crops with another apple tree nearby. Plant them within 100 feet of the other tree. In windy areas like Kansas, 20 feet apart will ensure much better pollination. Suitable varieties for cross-pollinating Granny Smiths include the Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, Red Delicious, and Golden Delicious apples.