10 Commandments of Apple Picking in Minnesota

It's apple picking season in Minnesota! Going out to an apple orchard is a tradition I've had in my life for a really long time, so I make my husband go with me every fall 😁.

With just the two of us, it doesn't take very long, but it's still a nice hour or two out at a local orchard. Or if you're going with kids you could make it a whole afternoon!

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Which Apples Are Ready to be Picked in Minnesota?

When you go apple picking, you want to make sure you're going when your favorite apple is ready to be picked. For example, I always make sure we go when the Honeycrisps are in season.

According to a Rochester, MN apple orchard, Sekapp Orchard, here's a guide for when different types of apples are ready to be picked:

Cortland - late Sept.

Fireside - mid-Oct.

First Kiss - mid-Aug.

Haralson - mid-Sept.

Honeycrisp - mid-Sept.

Red Delicious - mid-Oct.

Regent - mid-Oct.

SweeTango - early Sept.

Zestar - late Aug.

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They do mention that these dates are just approximations. If you want to know which apples are ripe at your orchard, make sure to call them and ask.

Whenever you do go out to pick apples, though, there are some rules, or commandments, that you should follow. Some I'd say are pretty obvious, others, maybe not so much, especially if you haven't been apple picking in a while.