Spartan is a mac-like apple, as it was a cross between McIntosh and an Unknown variety at the BC Summerland Research Station in 1936. It was thought to be McIntosh x Newtown Pippin but recent genetic analysis determined that Newtown Pippin is not a parent, thereby deeming 50% of its identity a mystery.

We tried Spartan for the first time at Al and Mary Pernichele’s Frost Top Orchard in 2021. It seems to go either way as to whether people prefer Spartan to McIntosh. It certainly hangs on the tree longer than Mac and is 1-2 weeks later. Considered a good all purpose apple, it may even be hardier than Mac. Solid zone 3 apple.

In terms of hardiness, Spartan we believe is slightly hardier than McIntosh. McIntosh is hardy to -40F, whereas Spartan is hardy to at least -45F. However, this apple likely wouldn’t be good for most places that experience -45F because it ripens a couple weeks after McIntosh. In Missoula this is the first or second week of October is when Spartan is ready. But it could be harvested slightly earlier if the frosts come on heavy before Spartan is fully ripe.

For Spring 2025, we grafted Spartan onto three different rootstock, M26, M7, and Dolgo. Use Dolgo if you are in an area that sees -40F or colder, because M27 and M7 are really only hardy to -40F.