Goldrush Apple

History: Goldrush was bred specifically for scab resistance as part of the collaborative PRI disease-resistant breeding program run by Purdue University, Rutgers University, and the University of Illinois. It was developed in the 1970s and released in 1994. This variety has a complex heritage of Golden Delicious mixed with a cross of several other varieties for their disease resistance.

Why We Grow It: This is arguably the best scab-resistant variety released from the PRI Breeding Program as far as flavour is concerned. The dense, crisp flesh of this yellow apple is full of sugars and flavour. It is distinctly spicy and tart at first but mellows the longer it is in storage. The fruit stores exceptionally well. This truly multi-purpose apple is also great for drying and, unusually for a modern variety, is good in hard cider.

Canadian Hardiness Zone: 4

Soil Preference: Sandy loam, loam, clay loam. Prefers average to moist conditions, avoid planting anywhere that floods for more than two weeks in the spring. Generally quite adaptable to different soil conditions. 

Growth Habits and Disease Resistance: Moderately vigorous with an upright growth habit, tends to produce crops every other year but has heavy crops when it does, spur-bearing. Resistant to fireblight and scab but susceptible to cedar apple rust and powdery mildew.

Sun/Shade: Full sun (approx. 8-10 hours of sun daily)

Pollination: Requires a pollinator of a different apple variety that blooms around the same time

Flowering Time: Late

Ripens: Mid to late October

Storage: Keeps until May when refrigerated

Recommended Use: Fresh eating, drying, cider, baking, cooking

Size including roots:

• 1m+ Whip: 100-200cm
• 1m+ Branched: 100cm+ with at least three branches 30cm+
• 50-80cm Whip: 50-80cm