A Fall Favorite, Picking Apples and Orchard Fun

Fall, I LOVE fall. It is my favorite season here in Minnesota. Outside of the dreaded winter coming after fall, whats not to love about this time a year? Pants and sweatshirts, pumpkin spice everything, apple orchards, fall colors, bonfires, cool evenings, and of course Halloween.

This year may be a little different with COVID still looming over us. This new season will go on, and will be what we make of it. Apple Orchards generally offer tons of fun. From picking your own apples, to petting zoos, corn mazes, tasty treats, live music, and hayrides. Usually you can count on some beautiful fall days to spend outside with your kids. We try to get to one apple orchard each year, with this year having more restrictions than past years, I’m not sure which one we will hit up yet.

I have taken a look at some Minnesota apple orchards to see how their seasons are setting up to be. Below you’ll find some of the popular ones with links to their website (click on their name) and a brief summary of what to expect.

• Minnesota Apple Orchards
  • Aamodt’s Apply Farm – Stillwater – Pick your own apples available Monday-Friday only 10:00am – 5:00pm. Most activities are on hold this season. They strongly encourage customers to wear masks while in the building.
  • Apple Jacks Orchard – Delano – Pick your own apples available 7 days a week 10:00am-5:00pm. Fun Farm activities are closed this year. Bakery items will be available. Guests should wear masks, lunch is available on Friday-Sunday, and online ordering is available.
  • Applewood Orchard – Lakeville – Pick your own apples available Tuesday – Sunday 9:00am-6:00pm. Barn is closed, no hayrides, no food available, purchase of pre-picked apples, jams, jellies, salsas, caramel is going to be done outside. Bring your own mask and hand sanitizer, check-in and check-out is outside with no access to inside the building.
  • Afton Apple Orchards – Hastings – Pick your own apples available 7 days a week 10:00am – 6:00pm. Most activities appear to be open including hayrides, corn maze, baked goods. A mask is required when in the buildings and on the hayride. They encourage smaller groups in the buildings and will meter the amount of people in congested areas.
  • Emma Krumbee’s – Belle Plain – Pick your own apples available 7 days a week 10:00am-6:00pm. Most activities appear to be open. Website doesn’t clearly show COVID 19 plan.
  • Pine Tree Apple Orchard – White Bear Lake – Does not look like you can pick your own apples. They have a nice COVID 19 page on their website with how what they are doing to keep everyone safe. A mask is required, they have install barriers around cashiers, prefer contactless payment, one way customer flow signs, disinfectant and wipes are available for customers, and cleaning and sanitizing will be done throughout the day. Pumpkin patch opens Oct 3. They are hopeful entertainment and more activities will be back for the 2021 season.
  • Minnesota Harvest – Jordan – Pick your own apples available Friday – Monday 10:00am-5:00pm. Sunflowers field open, corn maze open, limited food available on outdoor patio. Limited time in the orchard and you will be assigned a specific area to pick from. Wear a mask and bring sanitizer.

After you’ve pick your best apples, make a delicious apple recipe. My favorites are apple crisp and apple pie! I have included some of my favorite tools to prep your apples for baking below. Here in Minnesota we have to get out and enjoy our last bit of beautiful weather before winter hits. Take your family out to an Apple Orchard before we are stuck inside for a few months!

–Bri

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