Minnesota’s favorite apples, such as honeycrisp, haralson, regent, and honeygold, will ripen throughout the month of September, according to a press release. Minnesota-grown apples are available now at apple orchards and can be found at local grocery stores and farmers markets throughout the fall.

Despite the winter chills and wet spring, growers across the state are excited about harvest season, the release stated.

“The apples are looking great,” said Tracy Heald of Country Blossom Farm in Alexandria. “We have lots of sweetango and honeycrisp. The harvest is going to be good.”

A trip to the orchard is a great way to get the family outside and help children understand how their food grows, the release stated, and apple orchards are also a family-fun destination with some also featuring pumpkins, squash, corn mazes, wagon rides and petting zoos.

Dane Diede of Blossom Hill Orchard & Farm in Preston said people are happy the long-awaited apple season has arrived.

“People are excited,” he said. “They start asking about apples in July. Minnesotans love apples.”

Weather conditions can vary throughout Minnesota and orchard owners recommend calling or checking websites in advance to verify hours and to check availability of apple varieties.

The Minnesota Grown Directory is available in print and online, and is a resource for finding local apple orchards or farmers markets. The 2019 directory includes 118 apple orchards. Free, printed copies of the directory can be ordered online or by calling 1-888-868-7476.