Iowa apple crop plentiful as weather speeds up maturity

While the cool, wet spring challenged many Iowa corn and soybean farmers, it provided near perfect weather for apple trees and many pick-your-own orchards are reporting a bumper crop.

"A lot of the trees are so heavy with fruit that it is starting to break some limbs," said Steve Mortimore of Honey Creek Acres, 799 Swisher View Dr. SW in Swisher. "We had good weather early in the growing season with plenty of rain.

"The hot weather that we had for awhile was not good for the apples. They do much better when the weather is cool like the temperatures we've had recently."

Chris Gensicke, owner of Allen's Orchard at 5801 N. 10th St. in Marion, said the apple crop also benefited from recent rainfall.

"The quarter-inch of rain that we got pretty much set the rest of the apples for us and sized them nicely," Gensicke said. "The heat drove a couple of people away when it was extremely hot in August and the first part of September, but everyone seems to be coming out now."

Mortimore said school children have been coming to the orchard to pick apples on weekdays and learn about the different varieties of the fruit. Families account for the majority of customers on the weekends.

"Over half of our more than 30 apple varieties are ready and we're going to be bringing on three more varieties -- Empire, Liberty and Chieftan -- for picking this weekend," Gensicke said. "We've been opening a new variety each weekend."

State Horticulturist Mike Bevins said Iowa's apples fall into essentially two categories - those for eating fresh and those used in baking pies, applesauces, apple butters and other homemade desserts.

"Apple orchards in Iowa have a mix but what you're going to find ripening now are probably apples for pies, the ones that keep well,” Bevins said. "The fresh, eating apples probably ripened a little earlier this year so now is the time to get some good apples for pies and apples that will store for a while."

Bevins said most Iowa apple orchards market their produce directly to consumers through farmers markets, farm stands and you-pick operations. He said buying directly from an orchard often can provide apple varieties not available at grocery stores and supermarkets.

Mortimore said Honey Creek Acres offers additional learning opportunities for children and families, including a honey bee hive with a clear glass side to view the bees working.

For those either unable or not desiring to pick their own apples, Allen's Orchard and Honey Creek Acres offer apples ready to purchase by the pound. Allen's Orchard also offers apple cider, homemade apple sauce, baked goods, bee honey and other products.