ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota apple growers are reporting orchards full of big,
high quality apples for fall family fun. Orchards are open for picking across
the state with many ripe varieties on the trees.
Charlie Johnson, President of the Minnesota Apple Growers
Association, said the 2014 crop will be good for growers and consumers, despite
the especially harsh winter, “Many varieties will be as big, or bigger than
last year. The harsh winter weather has affected some varieties, in some
orchards, but most producers have come through the winter with an excellent
crop!”
Minnesota is known for flavorful apple varieties
specifically bred to thrive in our climate. This includes University of
Minnesota cultivars such as the Zestar!, Honeycrisp, SweeTango, Haralson and
Sweet Sixteen.
Most growers report varieties are ripening slightly later
than typical, due to the late spring. Because there are so many delicious apple
varieties to choose from, and seasonality depends on weather, please call your
orchard to determine what is ripe and ready for picking.
Minnesota Grown Spokesman, Paul Hugunin, said a trip to
an apple orchard is a fun activity for families, “Apple orchards provide many
ways to engage families and children of all ages. It’s a wonderful way to
introduce kids to how delicious fresh picked produce can taste! Many orchards
also offer fresh apple cider, pumpkins, fall raspberries and fun fall
activities like hay rides, crop mazes and petting zoos.”
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Minnesota Grown
Directory is a free statewide guide to more than 100 apple orchards. The
directory also includes a comprehensive list of fall raspberry patches, corn
mazes, wineries and more. You can search the directory online at www.minnesotagrown.com
or order your FREE printed copy by calling 1-888-TOURISM.
