History: Harry Masters Jersey was discovered in the early 1900s at Yarlington Mill (in England) and is thought to be a seedling of Yarlington Mill (the apple variety). It was named after Mr. Masters, a worker at the mill who is thought to have discovered the apple.
Why We Grow It: Although not the most vigorous of apple trees, the fruit itself boasts a medium-full bittersweet juice of vintage quality with low acid that makes it popular among cider connoisseurs. Harry Masters Jersey also starts producing fruit at a young age.
Canadian Hardiness Zone: 5
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: Tip-bearing, weak vigour and precocious, compact growth habit, tends to bear good crops every other year. Slightly susceptible to scab but resistant to brown rot.
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: Middle
Ripens: Late October
Storage: Keeps only a couple weeks when stored in cool, humid conditions
Recommended Use: Cider
- Class: Bittersweet
- Sugar: Medium, SG 1.056
- Acidity: Low, TA 2 g/L
- Tannins: High, 3.2 g/L
- Taste: Mildly bitter with a fruity aroma, tart and nutty. Taste reminiscent of melon, berries, butterscotch, and pine needles.
- Recommendations: Makes a good single-variety cider
Size including roots:
- 1 year grade 100-200 cm whip
- 2 year grade 100 cm+ with 3 or more branches, 30 cm or more
- B grade less than 100 cm
*Information based on Claude Jolicouer's The New Cidermaker's Handbook and Washington State University's "Cultivar Performance Gallery"