Prairie Spy Apple

Cold-hardy heritage with bold flavor and baking strength.
Prairie Spy is a Minnesota original—one of the first apples bred by the University of Minnesota for northern resilience. Selected in 1923 and released in 1940, this cold-hardy variety was designed to thrive in tough climates while delivering exceptional fruit for both fresh eating and culinary use.
The tree is vigorous and reliable, with an upright form in youth that matures into a broad, spreading canopy. It’s resistant to cedar-apple rust and only mildly susceptible to fireblight and scab, making it a solid performer in northern orchards.
The fruit is large and handsome, with yellow skin streaked in red and dotted with delicate white lenticels. Inside, the creamy white flesh is firm, dense, and flavorful—balanced and aromatic, with just the right structure for pies and winter storage. Though its parentage is uncertain, Prairie Spy bears a strong resemblance to Northern Spy in both form and flavor.
If you’re looking for a cold-hardy apple with beauty, versatility, and deep Midwestern roots, Prairie Spy is a time-tested favorite.