Chill Hours

❄️ Chill Hours for Fruiting Plants

Chill hours refer to the number of hours a fruiting plant needs to experience temperatures between approximately 32°F and 45°F during winter dormancy in order to properly break bud and produce flowers and fruit. Meeting a plant’s chill hour requirement is essential for consistent flowering, healthy growth, and reliable fruit production.

The fruiting varieties offered here include selections with low, moderate, and high chill requirements, making them suitable for a wide range of climates. Low-chill varieties perform well in mild winter regions, while moderate to high chill varieties are best suited for areas with colder winters. When chill hour needs are met, plants typically leaf out evenly in spring and produce better yields during the growing season.

For best results, choose fruiting plants with chill hour requirements that match your local climate. If chill hours are too low, plants may produce fewer flowers or fruit irregularly. If chill requirements are exceeded, plants will still perform normally, making higher chill tolerance generally less problematic than insufficient winter cold.