The 10 Commandments of Apple Picking in Minnesota

It's apple-picking season! Time to get out to your favorite apple orchard, spend too much money on a bunch of apples, but have a great time doing it, and make some memories.

Every year, I get my husband to come out apple picking with me, even though we don't have kids, because I grew up apple picking every year. It's just a fun tradition to have, plus then you know the apples are SUPER fresh.

My usual go-to is the Honeycrisp apples, but Haralsons are one of my other favorite picks.

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What Apples Are Ready to Pick in Minnesota

Different apples are ready to pick at different times during apple-picking season. If you've got a particular type of apple you like to pick, or if you're just curious what will be ripe when you go, here's a guide from the University of Minnesota:

Mid-August to Early-September Apples:

Beacon, Paula Red, Zestar!, State Fair, Centennial crabapple, First Kiss, and SweeTango

Mid to Late-September Apples: 

Chestnut crabapple, Red Baron, Sweet Sixteen, Triumph, and Honeycrisp

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Late-September to October Apples: 

Honeygold, Haralson, Frostbite, Regent, SnowSweet, Fireside/Connell Red, Keepsake, and Prairie Spy

Rules for Apple Picking

When you go apple picking, did you know that there are certain rules that apple orchard owners and employees would really like you to follow? Some of them, if you've been apple picking before, may be obvious. Others you may not have even considered!

So, I put together the 10 Commandments of Apple Picking. Check it out so you're ready when your family goes apple picking this year.