Weekend Happenings: Apple Picking!

For Minnesotans, the first few weeks of October bring not only a glorious riot of color, but they also herald the prime apple picking season.  Here in Minnesota we are blessed with some of the best apples grown in the world.  The University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum (right here in our own back yard) has a long and successful history in fruit breeding.  And we are the lucky recipients of all their hard work.  Below are some of the local apple orchards and a little of what you can expect so that you can plan your next apple picking outing.

Deardorff Orchards & Vineyards
Where: 5 miles West of MN Landscape Arboretum
8350 Parley Lake Rd
Waconia, MN 55387-9607
Hours:  Tuesday-Sunday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (Closed Mondays)
Cost: No admission cost and free parking

On our farm, we grow 13 varieties of apples on 4000 trees and 5 varieties of wine grapes, on over 3000 individual vines. Some of the apples and all of the grapes are used in winemaking at Parley Lake Winery. Our rustic barn was built in 1888. In the barn, we sell crafts, mums, kitchen ware, books, honey, jam, cider, pumpkins and much much more. And of course, you can't forget all the fresh apples!


We have tractor pulled wagon rides on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, free parking, and no admission fee. We have kid's wagons, farm animals, kid's haystack, and many many photo ops. It's a beautiful place!

Minnesota Harvest
Where:  8251 Old Highway 169 Blvd at Apple Lover's Land
Jordan, MN 55352-9799
Hours:  Tuesday - Sunday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (Closed Mondays)
Cost:  Free Admission

Minnesota Harvest is located just outside Jordan, Minnesota on the bluffs above the beautiful Minnesota River valley. A family tradition since 1970, Minnesota Harvest offers generations of apple lovers that perfect fall experience. Join us for a tractor-pulled wagon ride through our 300 acre orchard. Pick your own apples from one of our 30,000 trees, including some varieties found only at Minnesota Harvest. Enjoy lunch in our picnic area, or take a hike on our nature trail. Listen to live music. Or find an incredible piece of art by our artists in residence.


At Minnesota Harvest, you come out and pick your fun!


Minnetonka Orchards
Where:  6530 County Road 26
Minnetrista, MN 55364

Hours:  Open daily 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Cost:  Weekend admimssion $5/person (3 and under free)

Family owned and operated for more than 30 years.  Attractions at this popular orchard include:  Pick-your-own apples, hay rides, hay mountain, play train, barn shopping, corn maze, walking trails, corn crib slide, Owen's barnyard and lots and lots of food.  This Saturday join them in welcoming Pillsbury and the Minnesota State Champion Apple Pie maker for "Love the Pie!" as they demonstrate pie making using their Pillsbury Pie Crust, 12-4pm. You won't believe how easy it is.


Also featured is the annual, "windfall apple picking weekend" where they will be promoting U-pick apple's off the ground for pie and apple sauce making.

Special Guest:
Saturday: The Blues Drifters - Quartet
Sunday: Matt Muller

The Vikings at home against Arizona will be playing at the Orchard at noon.

AppleHouse
Where:  located 1.5 miles west of the Arboretum entrance in Chanhassen on State Highway 5 and Rolling Acres Road
Hours:  Open daily 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Cost:  Free Admission and parking

If all that apple picking sounds like it's just too much work, come to the AppleHouse where they've done all the picking for you by the experts at the Arboretum.  Purchase apples from a changing inventory of 50 varieties throughout the season - from long-time favorites to recent University of Minnesota introductions, including Minnesota's new State Fruit, the Honeycrisp! Select from a variety of specialty food items and merchandise in the AppleHouse Gift Shop. Proceeds benefit the University of Minnesota's apple research program.