Try these 8 apple orchards in central Iowa that will sweeten up your autumn
There's no place like fall in the Midwest and eight local apple orchards in the metro area have made their mark on central Iowa families for generations with fresh fruit and accessible family-friendly activities.
During autumn in the greater Des Moines area, find simple settings for family photographs like Cambridge-based farm Center Grove Orchard as well as a hyper-focus on fall agriculture at Upstream Gardens & Orchard in Altoona. Here's a look at eight central Iowa apple orchards for picking fruit this fall.
Berry Patch Farm
The Henry family-owned berry farm, which opened to Iowans in 1974, offers homegrown raspberries and apples during autumn. The farm’s website said it focuses on no-frills agriculture by growing crops, like apples and berries, instead of ticketed rides and carnival foods like cotton candy.
Where: 62785 280th St., Nevada
When: Open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Contact: 515-382-5138; berrypatchfarm.com
Features:
Honeycrisp and Jonathan apples, blackberries, raspberries, aronia berries and goji berries
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Center Grove Orchard
Cambridge-based Center Grove Orchard features nearly 35 varieties of homegrown apples on 20 acres of sprawling land. The farm includes U-pick apples, pumpkins in barrels, walking trails, a large-scale corn maze, animals, corn pool and a sunflower field. Center Grove Orchard offers a country farm store with apple cider doughnuts, honey-roasted peanut butter for dipping, homestyle apple cider, and more.
Where: 32835 610th Ave., Cambridge
When: Open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Contact: 515-383-4354; centergroveorchard.com
Admission: Starts at$16.95, $59.95 for fall season pass
Features:
20-acre orchard with 34 apple varieties
U-pick apples, pumpkins, and more for purchase in the country store
Sunflower meadow, featuring blooms of sunflower varieties, open until mid-October
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Hinegardner's Orchard
Family-owned Hinegardner's Orchard in Montour specializes in apples, berries and pumpkins. Oris and Jean Hinegardner planted the first 600 apple trees in May 1960, and now the farm offers more than 20 varieties of apples from 3,000 trees. On Oct. 9 from 1 to 5 p.m., the orchard hosts its annual Cider Day, where community members collect apples in wagons to make fresh apple cider. The pick-your-own orchard opens every weekend until Oct. 2. Times and dates are listed below.
Where: 1348 295th St., Montour
When: Open Monday through Friday from 1 to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Apple picking days on Sept. 24-25 and Oct. 1-2, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Contact: 641-492-6353; hinegardnersorchard.com
Admission: Free
Features:
Pick your own apples
Cider Day in October
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Deal’s Orchard
Deal's Orchard in Jefferson has been a popular fall spot in the Des Moines metro area for decades. The farm, owned by the Deal family for more than 100 years, makes hard cider and traditional cider on-site and pick-your-own pumpkins are available for purchase. A retail store, gift shop, and various family-friendly activities are available at the farm.
Where: 1102 244th St., Jefferson
When: Open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Contact: 515-386-8279; dealsorchard.com
Admission: $11 for children ages 3 to 17, $9 adults, 65 and older and children up to 2 free
Features:
Play area featuring a 4-acre corn maze, sunflowers, a corn box, petting zoo, giant slides, a jumping pillow, apple slingshots, and much more
Pick-your-own apples and pumpkins
Retail store and gift shop
Bakery items including apple cider doughnuts, caramel apples, apple pies, and fudge
Cider and hard cider made on site
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Iowa Orchard Farm Market
With a bakery open year-round, central Iowans know the magic of Iowa Orchard farm market for 365 days a year, but fall brings family fun to the forefront at the Urbandale-based orchard. Iowa Orchard offers a pumpkin patch, homemade pies, U-pick strawberries and apples, a farm market store, family fun area, and more.
Where: 9875 Meredith Drive, Urbandale
When: Open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Contact: 515-276-0852; iowaorchard.com
Admission: $5 for ages 2 and older
Features:
14 varieties of apples including Honeycrisp, Gala, and Jonagold
Pick by the peck or bushel
Storybook Orchard
Storybook Orchard in Story City includes fall fairytale hues with self-pick pumpkins, fruits and vegetables, baked goods, caramel apples, and cider. Pumpkins are available on Oct. 1 while tomatoes, cantaloupe, sweet corn, and watermelon are offered throughout the orchard season. The farm is open 7 days a week.
Where: 12832 Royal Orchard Drive, Story City
When: Open Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 1:30 to 6 p.m.
Contact: 515-708-0021; Facebook
Admission: Free
Features:
Varieties available include Honeycrisp, Fuji, Braeburn, Gala, Jonagold, Jonadel, Jonathan, Cortland, and Zestar, as well as others
Fresh flowers
U-picked and pre-picked apples
Upstream Gardens & Orchard
The berry patch and orchard in Altoona includes a honey store and pick-your-own fresh fruits and vegetables. Upstream Gardens & Orchard specializes in naturally grown crops in a rural setting with no slides and rides.
Where: 5987 NE 88th St., Altoona
When: Open Monday, Wednesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m.
Contact: 515-956-1303; upstreamgardens.com
Admission: Free
Features:
Natural growing practices
U-pick apples and pre-picked apples
Raspberries
Honey from hives on the farm
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Wills Family Orchard
Adel's own Wills Family Orchard sits on a 60-acre piece of land about 30 minutes west of Des Moines. The farm includes a pumpkin patch, swaths of apple trees, and a section for growing organic fruits and vegetables like squash, strawberries, and melons. Wills Family Orchard's Apple & Pumpkin Fest is hosted by the family on autumn weekends until Oct. 23. The festival includes fresh food, U-pick apples, live music, barnyard animals, a corn maze, and more.
Where: 33130 Panther Creek Road, Adel
When: 2022 Apple & Pumpkin Fest weekends run on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays noon to 6 p.m. through Oct. 23.
Contact: 515-321-1847; willsfamilyorchard.com
Admission: No entrance fee to visit store, barnyard, and pumpkin patch. Activity pass: $6 plus tax for adults, $8 plus tax for children, free for children ages 2 and under
Features:
Organic apples in 12 varieties
Farm store
Barnyard featuring chickens, goats, and pigs
Pre-picked apples
Pick-your-own apples
Jay Stahl is an entertainment reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow him on Instagram, Twitter, or reach out at jstahl@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Where to find apple orchards in the Des Moines area this fall
