Apple harvest has swung into full gear, and more than 100 Minnesota orchards are now open for public sales and apple picking.
Charlie Johnson, President of the Minnesota Apple Growers Association, said the 2014 crop is excellent for most producers. A few varieties are ripening slightly later than usual due to the late spring, he said, so consumers may want to call orchards in advance to be sure which apples are ripe at any given time.
Minnesota is known for apple varieties specially bred for northern climate, including University of Minnesota cultivars such as Zestar!, Honeycrisp, SweeTango, Haralson and Sweet Sixteen.
Many pick-your-own orchards also sell fall raspberries, pumpkins and other produce, and offer family activities such as hayrides and crop mazes.
For more information, consult the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's Minnesota Grown Directory online at www.minnesotagrown.com.
