Apple picking season is one of the first signs the fall season is nearing in Iowa, and a number of orchards have opened up for business after Labor Day weekend.
Jonathan, Red Delicious and Golden Delicious apples are usually ready by mid-September, late September and early October, respectively, according to Iowa State University.
Here are six apple orchards near the Des Moines metro.
Berry Patch Farms, Nevada
Berry Patch Farms is locally owned by the Dean family and has been awarded the District Soil Conservation Award for its sustainability practices. The Berry Patch has apples, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, elderberries and Aronia berries, as of the first weekend of September.
Honeycrisp and Mollies Delicious apples are ready for picking with more varieties to come this fall.
Center Grove Orchard, Cambridge
There are more than 34 different types of home-grown apples to pick across 20 acres during the 2024 season at the Center Grove Orchard. The orchard is celebrating 30 years of business.
When you visit Center Grove, you can do a lot more than just picking apples. The complex has horse-drawn carriages, super slides and bottle-feeding baby goats, along with other activities for all ages.
Deal's Orchard, Jefferson
With more than 40 acres of apple trees, Deal's Orchard has offered a you-pick apple orchard for more than 100 years. There are 25 different varieties during the season. In early September, Macintosh, Chenango, Gala and Pippin apples are all available at Deal's Orchard. As the fall season continues, Red Delicious, Honey Crisp and more will start to ripen.
Deal's Orchard also sells award-winning sweet cider to enjoy after spending a day picking apples.
Iowa Orchard, Granger
Iowa Orchard's seasonal you-pick apple orchard first opened in 2014. This is Iowa Orchard's second location along with the Farm Market and Pumpkin Patch located in Urbandale.
During the first week of September, Premier Honeycrisp, Blondee, Gala and McIntosh are ripened. To see the ripening schedule, visit Iowa Orchard's website.
Wills Family Orchard, Adel
There are 12 different apple varieties expected for this year at Wills Family Orchard. The crops for the 2024 season "look great," according to Wills Family Orchard's website.
The farm consists of 60 acres with 30 acres of timber. There are six acres of apple trees and four acres of pumpkins.
Wilson's Orchard & Farm, Cumming
Iowa City-based Wilson's Orchard & Farm now has a second location in Cumming, just 10 minutes south of Des Moines. The orchard covers over 110 acres with early, mid-and late-season apple varieties. While there, you can also stop by Wilson's Orchard & Farm's cider house which sells fresh-pressed hard cider for those 21 years and older.
Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.