Prairie Spy apple
Prairie Spy is one of the earliest apple varieties developed by the University of Minnesota. It was selected in 1923 from seeds planted in 1914, and introduced commercially in 1940. It was known as Minnesota 1007 during its development period.
The parentage of Prairie Spy is not certain, but the name, and its growth characteristics and fruit appearance suggest it is probably a seedling of Northern Spy - but this is not certain.
Although grown commercially for a period in Minnesota, Prairie Spy (like Northern Spy) is not best-suited to the needs of commercial growers. For example, it can take several years to start bearing, and fruit size can be highly variable.
Most tasting tests rate Prairie Spy as having an excellent well-balanced sweet flavor.
All purpose. Red over yellow, attractive large fruit. Some russeting may occur. Excellent flavor, improves in storage. Extra long keeping winter apple.
Origins
- Species: Malus domestica
- Parentage: Unknown, but probably Northern Spy
- Originates from: United States
- Introduced: 1940
- Developed by: University of Minnesota
- Orange Pippin Cultivar ID: 184400
- UK National Fruit Collection accession number: 1951 - 062
Identification
- Fruit size: Large
Using
- Good for eating fresh
- Good for cooking
- Flavour quality: Very good
- Flavour style: Sweeter
- Ripening period: Late season
- Use / keeping: 3 months or more
Growing
- Cropping: Good
- Flowering period: Mid season
- Flowering group: 3
- Fertility: Self-sterile
- Vigour: Average growth
- Precocity: Slow to start bearing
- Fruit bearing: Spur-bearer
- General disease resistance: Good
Climate
- Suitable for warm climates
- Suitable for temperate climates
- Tolerates cold winters
Disease resistance
- Scab - Some resistance
- Cedar apple rust - Some resistance
- Fireblight - Some susceptibility
Relationships to other varieties
Parents and other ancestors of this variety:
- Northern Spy (parent)
Prairie Spy identification photos from official fruit collections
Prairie Spy identification photos from website visitors
Fruit tree register
Do you have a tree of this variety in your garden or orchard? If so please register the details here and contribute to our international register of fruit trees.
The following Prairie Spy trees have been registered - click the name to view more details of each tree.
You can also view these trees on a map.
United States
- Arthur Pitt in FINLAYSON, MN/PINE
- Erin Eyberg in MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA
- Florian Deisenhofer in Brush Prairie, Clark County WA
- Karl Schmidt in ESTELLINE, SD
- Kent Montgomery in BRAINERD, MINNESOTA / CROW WING
- Steve in SILVER SPRING, MD
- Thomas Griffith in COTTAGE GROVE, WI
Latest Spring blossom records for this variety
2012 season
- 6th May 2012 - tree owned by Florian in Brush Prairie, United States
Record your blossom dates in our Fruit Tree Register - more >>.
Latest harvest records for this variety
2012 season
Where to buy apples
United Statesmap >
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Iowamap >
- Berry Patch Farm, Nevada
- Wilson's Orchard, Iowa City
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Minnesotamap >
- Aamodt's Apple Farm and Bakery, Stillwater
- Fireside Orchard and Gardens, Northfield
- Maple Run Orchard, Finlayson
- Minnesota Harvest, Jordan
- Sekapp Orchard, Rochester
- Sogn Valley Orchard, Dennison
- Southwind Orchards, Dakota
- Sweetland Orchard, Webster
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New Hampshiremap >
- Old Ciderpress Farm, Westmoreland
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Pennsylvaniamap >
- Northrop's Apple Acres, Lake City
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South Dakotamap >
- Krause Family Orchard & Nursery Inc., Glenham
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Washingtonmap >
- Hockinson Hill Orchard, Brush Prairie
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Wisconsinmap >
- Door Creek Orchard, Cottage Grove
- Lucy's Farm, Waupaca
Rate this variety for flavor