How to Grow September Ruby
Wikimedia Commons
September Ruby
Malus domestica 'September Ruby'
treeSeptember Ruby is a mid-season apple cultivar known for its deep red color and crisp, juicy flesh with a balance of sweetness and tartness. This heirloom-type apple is prized for fresh eating and is particularly notable for its extended harvest window in late summer and early fall. The tree is a moderate grower with good disease resistance and ornamental appeal.
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Example September Ruby timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant September Ruby
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest September Ruby
Around Aug 15≈ 120 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact September Ruby dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-8, with best performance in zones 6-7
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Get my September Ruby timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment (Year 1)
Full first yearYoung tree focuses on root development and branch structure. Minimal flowering occurs; growth is primarily vegetative.
Stake for wind protection. Keep weeds clear in 3-foot radius. Water deeply and regularly. Remove any flower buds to encourage root establishment.
Vegetative Growth (Years 2-3)
2-3 yearsTree develops strong scaffold branches and canopy structure. Increasing flowering begins but fruiting is light as tree matures.
Prune to establish open-center or central leader form. Continue regular watering and mulching. Apply balanced fertilizer in spring. Thin excessive flower buds.
Flowering (Spring)
2-3 weeksAbundant white to pink blossoms with 5 petals appear in clusters. Bloom typically occurs in mid-spring depending on zone.
Ensure adequate pollinator presence (this variety needs cross-pollination with compatible pollinizers like Honeycrisp or Gala). Avoid frost damage by monitoring frost dates. Do not spray during bloom period.
Fruit Development (Summer)
8-10 weeksSmall green fruit forms after pollination and slowly enlarges through summer. Fruit develops red coloring 4-6 weeks before maturity.
Thin fruit to 1 apple per 6 inches of branch for larger, higher-quality apples. Maintain consistent watering (critical for size and sweetness). Monitor for pests and diseases. Apply calcium if needed to prevent bitter pit.
Ripening & Harvest (Late August-September)
3-4 weeksApples achieve deep red color and full sweetness. Tree is ready for harvest when apples taste sweet and detach easily with gentle twist.
Harvest ripe fruit regularly to encourage continued ripening of remaining apples. Handle carefully to avoid bruising. Eat fresh or store in cool conditions. September Ruby has good storage potential (2-3 months refrigerated).
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use pheromone traps for monitoring. Apply organic insecticides like spinosad in early summer when fruit is small. Manage with bagging individual fruits or pheromone disruption.
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Use yellow sticky traps for monitoring. Apply spinosad or neem oil in mid-July through August. Practice sanitation by removing dropped fruit.
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Spray with strong water stream to dislodge. Use miticide sprays or sulfur in hot weather. Encourage predatory mites through biodiversity.
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Prune for air circulation. Apply sulfur or potassium bicarbonate sprays at first sign. Avoid overhead watering. September Ruby has moderate resistance.
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Remove cedar/juniper trees within 1/4 mile if possible. Apply fungicide sprays in spring. Prune infected branches. Improve air circulation.
Uses
Fresh eating and salads
CulinarySeptember Ruby apples are excellent for eating fresh due to their crisp texture, juicy flesh, and balanced sweet-tart flavor profile. They are also ideal for fresh fruit salads and cheese boards. [source]
Cooking and baking
CulinaryThe firm flesh and good acidity make September Ruby suitable for pies, crisps, sauces, and other baked goods where apples should hold their shape. The tartness balances sweetness in desserts. [source]
Juice and cider
CulinaryWith good juice content and balanced sugars and acids, September Ruby apples make flavorful fresh juice and contribute well to hard cider blends with other varieties. [source]
Pollinator and wildlife support
WildlifeThe spring blossoms provide nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators. Fallen fruit supports wildlife like birds, deer, and beneficial insects throughout fall. [source]
Home orchard and ornamental value
HouseholdBeyond fruit production, September Ruby apple trees provide spring blossoms, summer shade, and autumn interest with fruit color, making them valuable in landscape design. [source]
Harvest Tips
September Ruby apples are ready for harvest in late August through September depending on climate and growing season length. Pick when apples are deep red, firm, and detach easily with a gentle upward twist. For best flavor, harvest fully ripe rather than early. Apples continue to ripen slightly off the tree if picked at peak maturity. Store in refrigerator (32-40°F) for up to 3 months; keep separate from other fruits to slow ethylene exposure.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 September Ruby is believed to be a seedling of the Arkansas Black apple, an heirloom variety, combining good disease resistance with improved flavor and extended ripening.
- 🌱 The name 'September Ruby' reflects its distinctive deep ruby-red coloring and its harvest time in September across most of North America, making it valuable as a succession variety alongside early summer apples.
- 🌱 Apple trees require 600-900 chill hours below 45°F during dormancy to break bud properly; September Ruby thrives in mid-range zones where winter cold is moderate and spring is not too late.
Gardening Terms
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