How to Grow Somerset

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Somerset

Malus domestica 'Somerset'

tree

Somerset is a cider apple variety developed in England, known for its balanced blend of sugar and tannins that make it excellent for cider production. It produces medium-sized, golden-yellow apples with a distinctive flavor profile suited to traditional farmhouse ciders. This semi-dwarf to standard cultivar is moderately vigorous and relatively disease-resistant.

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Example Somerset timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Somerset
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Somerset
Late summer into fall

Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Somerset dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, minimum 6-8 hours daily (8+ hours ideal for fruit quality)

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Water: Deep, consistent watering during growing season, approximately 1-2 inches per week. Reduce watering after fruit set. Drought-tolerant once established but performs better with regular moisture.

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Spacing: 240 inches

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Days to maturity: 1460

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Planting depth: 12

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil, slightly acidic

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Compost or aged manure at planting Potassium and phosphorus for fruit development Mulch to retain moisture and regulate temperature

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 5-8, with best performance in cooler temperate regions

5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a

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Growth Stages

Dormancy & Establishment

First year

Bare-root or containerized tree with minimal above-ground growth focus on root establishment

Plant in late fall to early spring. Stake for support if needed. Prune to develop strong central leader. Ensure consistent moisture without waterlogging.

Vegetative Growth

Years 1-3

Vigorous shoot growth with development of branch structure, no flowers yet

Remove competing shoots. Thin crowded branches for air circulation. Apply growth-promoting fertilizer in spring. Train scaffold branches to 45-60 degree angles.

Flowering & Pollination

3-4 weeks in spring

Pink-white blossoms appear in spring; requires cross-pollination from compatible cider or dessert apple varieties

Ensure compatible pollinator varieties nearby (within 50 feet). Protect from late frost damage. Do not apply heavy nitrogen as it promotes vegetative growth over flowering.

Fruit Development & Thinning

6-8 weeks

Small green fruits develop from fertilized flowers; natural fruit drop occurs in early summer

Thin fruit to one per cluster when egg-sized (about 1-2 inches apart) to promote larger apples and reduce disease. Remove damaged or diseased fruit. Water deeply but infrequently.

Ripening & Harvest

8-12 weeks

Fruit reaches full size and color—golden-yellow for Somerset. Flavor develops with proper maturation

Do not harvest early; true cider apples improve in flavor and tannin profile with full ripening. Harvest when fruit detaches easily with a gentle twist. Late harvest (September-October) optimal for cider quality.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Yarrow Borage Comfrey Other cider apple varieties (pollination support) Clover

Avoid planting near:

Black walnut (allelopathic toxins) Other non-compatible apple varieties in isolation Fennel (inhibits growth)

Common Pests

Use pheromone traps, apply spinosad or neem oil post-bloom, remove and destroy infested fruit, maintain sanitation
Prune for air circulation, apply sulfur or copper fungicides at bud break and weekly during wet spring, remove infected leaves
Ensure adequate spacing and air flow, apply sulfur dusts or horticultural oils, prune infected shoots
Prune out affected branches, spray with dormant oil in late fall/early spring, use reflective mulches
Hand-pick during early morning, use pheromone traps away from tree, apply neem oil

Uses

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Cider & Fermented Beverages

Culinary

Somerset is a premier cider apple variety, prized for its balanced blend of sugars (about 10-12% potential alcohol) and tannins that create complex, dry to off-dry ciders with excellent aging potential. It's a key component in traditional West Country ciders and farmhouse blends. [source]

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Vinegar Production

Culinary

The juice's natural acidity and flavor compounds make Somerset suitable for slow fermentation into apple cider vinegar, which develops distinctive aromatics and depth over months of aging. [source]

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Fresh Eating & Cooking

Culinary

While primarily a cider variety, Somerset apples are edible fresh with a tart-bitter profile, and work well in pies, compotes, and sauces. They pair well with spices in baking. [source]

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Pollinator Support

Wildlife

Spring blossoms provide early nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, supporting garden biodiversity and overall ecosystem health. [source]

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Home Orchard & Landscape

Household

Somerset is an attractive tree suitable for heritage orchards, permaculture gardens, and homesteads. Its moderate vigor and good disease resistance make it practical for organic and traditional management systems. [source]

Harvest Tips

Somerset apples are ready to harvest in mid to late autumn (September to early October in Northern Hemisphere). Harvest when fruit is fully golden-yellow and detaches easily from the branch with a gentle twist. For cider production, allow apples to mature fully on the tree for maximum sugar and tannin content. The fruit stores well in cool conditions (35-40°F, 95% humidity) for several months. Traditional cider producers often allow harvested apples to sit for 2-4 weeks before pressing to improve flavor development.

Fun Facts

🌱 Somerset was developed in England specifically for cider production and remains one of the most respected cider apple cultivars in the West Country cider tradition that dates back centuries.
🌱 The name 'Somerset' reflects its strong association with Somerset County in southwestern England, a region famous for dry farmhouse ciders that blend multiple apple varieties for complexity.
🌱 Somerset apples actually taste quite sharp and bitter when eaten fresh—the tannins and acids that make them unpleasant raw are precisely what create elegant, age-worthy ciders that improve over years of storage.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Full Sun pH Pollination

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