Nova Easygro

Why you should be excited

Nova Easygro is a multi-purpose Canadian-bred apple that's infinitely better than its banal name might suggest.

he story of Nova Easygro

If we were looking for nominations in the category of 'Most Uninspired Apple Variety Name,' this sucker would be right up there on the list. The regional reference to Nova Scotia is not a problem for us, but the ham-handed sales pitch for home gardeners to plant it made this apple a hard one to bring ourselves to stick in the ground. Do we really want to promote variety that's advertised solely as easy to grow?

We forced ourselves to go ahead with Nova Easygro anyway, largely because it's an apple with a lot going for it. Sure, the trees grow nicely, are disease-resistant and hardy. More importantly, the apples are crisp and juicy, with a mild, sweet flavour that people love. On top of that, this is an attractive, large, red-striped apple that will keep nicely well into the new year, tasting even better after some time in storage.

Plus it's Canadian, eh. We like that too and tip our hats to the Nova Scotians who bred this variety, introducing it to the apple-growing world in 1971.

We'll always hate the name, but that doesn't change the fact that Nova EasyGro is a particularly nice apple.

Nova Easygro Facts

Its origins

Bred in Nova Scotia, Canada; 1971 introduction.

Flavour, aroma, texture

Crisp, with a mild, sweet flavour that improves with time in storage.

Appearance

Very good. Large in size, with red skin colour over a greenish-yellow background.

When they’re available

Late season (usually in mid-October).

Quality for fresh eating

Very good.

Quality for cooking

Good.

Quality for cider

Not particualrly known for use in cider.

Keeping ability

Very good (up to 4 months or even longer when kept refrigerated).