2024 Northern Minneapolis and Northern Suburbs, Minnesota Apple And Pumpkin U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Apple And Pumpkin U-Pick Orchards in Northern Minneapolis and Northern Suburbs, Minnesota in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for apples and pumpkins that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have apples and pumpkins orchards that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!

PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

Benton County

• Jacks Apple Farm - apples, sweet corn, cucumbers, tomatoes, melons, pumpkins
  5801 Hwy 95 NE, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379. Phone: 320-252-0615. Email: info@jacksapplefarm.com. Click here for a map and directions. . . Also free range chickens and heritage turkeys, room to picnic. We can cover your holiday bakery products, from Artisan Style Breads, fresh pies, cookie & bar platters, to breakfast breads, fully-cooked smoked turkeys, and much more.

Chisago County

• Pleasant Valley Orchard - strawberries, apples (apples pyo on some weekends), pumpkins, hayrides, farm animals, picnic area
  17325 Pleasant Valley Road, Taylors Falls, MN . Phone: 651-257-9159. Email: info@pleasantvalleyorchard.com. Open: Tuesday to Sun, 10 am to 6 pm, September - November (closed Mondays); The pick-your-own strawberry season runs from mid-June through mid-July; The fall apple orchard season featuring your favorite Minnesota Grown apples, begins Labor Day weekend; Pick your own strawberries in season; Call for hours. Directions: Located south of Taylors Falls on Pleasant Valley Road (Cty. 26) off US Hwy 8 or 95. Apple orchard features all your favorite Minnesota apple varieties! Gift shop offers pre-picked apples, cider, pumpkins, squash, fall December or, candles, baskets and more! In addition to your favorite . Click here for a map and directions. . . Minnesota Grown apples, we also offer many activities including pick-your-own weekends, hayrides, farm animals, kid's corral, nature trail, and picnic area with sweeping views of the St. Croix Valley. Be sure to try our Homemade Apple Pie; the best pie you will ever have! Picnic tables, nature trail, farm animals and weekend hayrides! Family-friendly orchard overlooking the scenic St. Croix Valley. (UPDATED: April 4, 2018, JBS) A visitor writes on July 19, 2016: "I liked it. Only tried strawberry picking there. Very pleasant staff."

Hennepin County

• Apple Jack Orchards - apples, pumpkins, raspberries (Autumn, red), U-pick and already picked, gift shop, concessions \\/ refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, restrooms, picnic area, face painting, jumping pillow, ziplines, farm animals, school tours, group reservations
  4875 37th Street Se, Delano, MN 55328. Phone: 763-972-6673. Email: jill@applejackorchards.com. Open: Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. Directions: Hwy 55 West from Minneapolis 1 mile west of Rockford, MN, go left on Wright County Road 32; One mile to orchard. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Apple Jack Orchards Facebook page. . . Beautiful setting on the Crow River with tons of fun for families!. (UPDATED: July 19, 2016)
• Homestead Orchard - apples, raspberries, tomatoes, pumpkins
  1080 County Road 92 North, Maple Plain, MN 55359. Phone (763) 479-3186. Email Moondanceorchard@gmail.com . Open: Call for hours. Directions: Located 23 miles W of Mpls., take 394 (Hwy 12) & watch for sign 3 miles W of Maple Plain, then 2 miles S on Cty Rd 92. Pre-scheduled orchard tours. Pick your own apples, prepicked apples and our own cider. We feature Honeycrisp apples other varieties include Fireside, Haralson, Prairie Spy, Regent, Keepsake, Honeygold, Cortland, Ginger Gold, Zestar & Early Blush. Raspberries, u pick or pre picked. Petting zoo with mini donkeys, calf, goats and baby lambs. (UPDATED: July 1, 2024, JBS)
• Minnetonka Orchards, LLC - apples, pumpkins, corn maze, hay rides, Events, Weddings, and School Tours
  6530 County Road 26, Minnetrista, MN 55364. Phone: 763-479-3191. Email: schaperl@cs.com. Open: daily 10 am to 7 pm August thru October 10 am to 5 pm in November. Click here for a map and directions. . Alternate phone: 763-479-6530. . A little beyond the lake. Great family fun. Corn maze, u-pick and pre-picked apples, cider, jams, caramel apples, fresh baked orchard pies & apple doughnuts, honey, maple syrup, pumpkins, winter squash, gifts and crafts. U-Pick in Oct. Scheduled orchard tours. Free hay rides on weekends, Friday after 3pm. Fall Festival & live music every weekend September 6 - October 26. Highway 394 west to Maple Plain, then Cty. Road 83 south 2 one half miles to Cty. Road 26; from Mound take Cty. Road 110 north 2 one half miles to Cty. Road 26, follow the yellow signs. We also host Corporate & Special Events, Weddings, and School Tours.

Isanti County

• Jakes Apple Shack - apples, corn (sweet), pumpkins, raspberries (Autumn, red), rhubarb, winter squash, strawberries, farm market, porta-potties are available, picnic area you may bring your own food, school tours
  601 375th Ave, Stanchfeild, MN 55080. Phone: 763-689-2282. Email: Dewfreshproduce@msn.com. Open: Call for hours. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. . . (ADDED: August 30, 2015)

Wright County

• Apple Jack Orchards - Uses integrated pest management practices, apples, pumpkins, raspberries (Autumn, red), U-pick and already picked, farm market, gift shop, concessions \\/ refreshment stand, porta-potties are available, restrooms, picnic area, face painting, jumping pillow, pony rides, birthday parties, school tours, corn maze, cow trains
  4875 37th Street Se, Delano, MN 55328. Phone: 763-972-6673. Email: kit@applejackorchards.com. Open: Pick your own on weekends or purchase prepicked every day in Sepember and October. Directions: We use integrated pest management practices. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Apple Jack Orchards Facebook page. . Fax: 763-972-4038. . Beautiful setting on the Crow River with tons of fun for families!. (ADDED: May 18, 2015)
• Apple Tree-O - apples, pumpkins, summer squash, U-pick and already picked, porta-potties are available, picnic area you may bring your own food
  5667 90th Street Se, Delano, MN 55328. Phone: 763-390-7795. Email: owner@appletreeo.com. Open: Saturday and Sunday, from 12 pm to 5 pm. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Apple Tree-O Facebook page. . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. SweeTango, Honeycrisp, Zestar!, Cortland, Haralson, Melrose. Our entire orchard is available for picking when the varieties are ready. Check our Apples & Produce page to see what is currently available. All of our trees are planted in a way that allows for apples to be closer to the ground and within reach! As a result, we offer picking to all ages! Bring the whole family and have fun filling a bag with delicious, fresh apples. Also, since we are a small family orchard, one of us is always nearby to answer any questions that you may have about the apples.
• Fairhaven Farm - u-Pick raspberries, apples (certain varieties and certain weekends only), grapes and pumpkins, school tours, weddings
  13835 51st Avenue, South Haven, MN 55382. Phone: 320-236-7685. Email: fairfarm@lakedalelink.net. Open: 7 am to 7 pm June-July, 11 am to 6 pm daily Aug-Oct; Open June and July for pick-your-own; for apples: daily from 10 am to 6 from Labor Day to Thanksgiving; We update our blog every weekend, where you can see whether or not we are still doing u-pick apples. Directions: Located three miles north of South Haven and 18 miles south of St. Cloud. Near the intersection of County Road 44 and 7 in Fairhaven. Our raspberries are all through pick-your-own. We feature fall-bearing raspberry varieties Caroline, and Autumn Bliss. You are welcome to bring your own containers, or use our provided pint size containers.We have 2 acres of our grape crop available for U-Pick, at $1.25/lb (June 2016 price). Our vineyard contains a multitude of varieties, including ones that are best for eating, jellies and wine. U-Pick grapes is a fun and unique activities for either individuals or families. We can grow pears in Minnesota! Pre-picked. 4 varieties are available beginning in August and going through October. Early: Summercrisp Later: Luscious, Gourmet, and Patton. Plums are available pre-picked. 2 varieties available from late August to mid September, Toka and Alderman. Fairhaven Farm is also a family destination in the Fall when we have our u-pick pumpkin patch, themed corn maze, delicious baked goods, and horse drawn hayrides. Marsha's apple pies draws people from far and wide, and available baked on the weekends and frozen all season long. Every year the corn maze has a different theme, in the past they have included Arthur, Dr. Seuss, Hugo, and Harry Potter. (UPDATED: June 27, 2016) (UPDATED: August 02, 2013, by a visitor) Comments from a visitor on June 21, 2009: "The farm has a corn maze that runs through Halloween weekend along with a horse-drawn wagon ride. The corn maze has a different theme every year. 2007- Curious George. They do not take credit cards, but do accept checks. Each weekend through November the first weekend in November a "kitchen specialty" is offered, such as brick-over pizzas or brats on the grill. There are outhouses for restrooms. There are tables and chair outside as well as in the barn for eating/picnics. They are . Click here for a map and directions. . open seven days a week from 10 am to 6 p.m. In the shop: multiple apple varieties, pears, plums, honey, jams & jellies, apple pie, dried flowers, and a variety of gifts.
• Woods' Edge Apples - apples, pumpkins, raspberries (Autumn, red), gift shop, restrooms, picnic area you may bring your own food, farm animals
  1901 50th Street Northeast, Buffalo, MN 55313. Phone: 763-682-4409. Email: woodsedgeapples@msn.com. Open: All open hours as supply allows. Directions: Located three miles north of Buffalo, Minnesota on State Highway 25. Turn west on County Road 113 to get to our driveway. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
  Woods' Edge Apples Facebook page. . (ADDED: September 03, 2015)

 

Pumpkin

Pumpkin Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Do you want it for a party, decoration or eating?

For a wedding or party:

See this page: Finding pumpkins for weddings

Decoration to paint or carve:

OK, Then you need only look for any pumpkin that is

• visually appealing, evenly a deep orange. The shape is just whatever appeals to you. If it grew on its side and has a flat spot, you can either make that the make or use it as part of your design!
• free from cuts, soft spots, bruises. The flesh should feel hard, and not give easily. Infections can invade easily and cause rot
• Make sure the stem is attached.

Store it carefully, especially if you pick it from the vine yourself. Cure a fresh-picked pumpkin by keeping it in a dry place. Don't handle or disturb it. Curing toughens the rind, making it less prone to rot. Pumpkins will keep for months in a cool (50 F to 65F dry, low humidity environment; such as a cool, dry basement.

Tip: If you like roasted or baked pumpkin seeds, you can save the seeds from any pumpkin!

To make a pumpkin pie!

Then you need a small, sweet type of pumpkin that has been developed for eating. They are smaller, typically about 8" to 10" diameter. The meat is much less stringy and smoother than a decorative pumpkin variety. Pumpkin is rich in vitamin A and potassium. One-half cup of cooked pumpkin provides more than the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A. One cup of cooked pumpkin contains only 81 calories. It's low in fat and sodium! Usually you can get these at the grocery store, and some of the pumpkin patches and farm stands have them. Be sure to tell them that you intend to use it for a pumpkin pie. Again, look for firm, no soft spots, or signs of any rot. See this page for easy, illustrated directions to make a pumpkin pie from a fresh pumpkin!

Varieties of Pumpkins

• Sugar - Excellent for baking
• Jack O'Lantern - most common for carving
• White Lumina - unusual, medium-sized white pumpkin
• Mini - Great for decoration
• Gourds - Many varieties, used for decorations

For a very complete, detailed list of many varieties of pumpkins and where to get the seeds, see this page!

Want to Grow Your Own Pumpkins?

Then see this page!

Pumpkin recipes

• How to prepare cooked pumpkin from a fresh pumpkin (for use in all the recipes)
• Illustrated instructions to make a pumpkin pie from a fresh pumpkin - the best pumpkin pie you will ever taste! (metric version for the UK, Europe, Australia, Japan, etc.)
• How to home-can pumpkin (in a cooked, cubed form) and why you shouldn't home-can the pureed forms.
• Traditional Pumpkin Pie
• Chocolate pumpkin pie
• Pumpkin Spice Muffins
• Pumpkin muffins
• Pumpkin Bread
• Pumpkin Butter!
• Pumpkin cheesecake - INCREDIBLE!!! You have to try this one!
• Pumpkin Cookies
• Pumpkin soup - even if you normally aren't a soup lover; you will love this one.
• Butternut-Chestnut Panchetta-Bacon Soup - Pumpkin or Butternut squash combines with chestnuts and bacon, ham or panchetta in this great soup
• Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
• No Sugar Pumpkin Pie
• Apple Cider Doughnut Recipe (with maple glaze or sugar glaze)

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)

• Farm markets and roadside stands
• Local Honey Finder
• Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
• Venues: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
• Easter egg hunts
• Children"s consignment sales
• Fruit and vegetable festivals
• Winery tours and wine tastings
• Horse rides, stables, lessons, trails
• Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
• Bed & Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
• Pumpkin patches
• Corn mazes
• Zombie Paintball venues
• Christmas Tree Farms & lots
• Environmental resources
• Consumer fraud information
• Wholesale food sources
• Resources for Farmers