You-Pick Apples

**DATES AND DETAILS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE!!**
🍎 Apples are predicted to be ready for pickin' early August 🍎
Wilson's Orchard has been growing apples since 1980, and after more than four decades, the orchard still has the ability to surprise us. We grow over 80 varieties across 88 acres, and no two seasons look exactly the same out here. The timing, the flavor, the color, all of it still depends on the weather, the soil, and the year.
Apple you-pick at Wilson's works a little differently than other crops. Varieties ripen on a rolling basis from late August through October, so what's available any given week is genuinely determined by the trees. Our first apple to ripen is the Lodi; tart, soft, and one of the best cooking apples of the season. It's the signal that fall is officially underway. From there, Honeycrisp arrives, and things really get going fast.
Here's a look at the varieties you can expect through the season, roughly in order of ripening:
Lodi | Tart and juicy. Best for applesauce and baking. Our first apple of the season and one of the most fleeting. Zestar | Sweet-tart balance with a hint of brown sugar. Great fresh or in pies.
Gala | Mild, sweet, and family-friendly. One of the most popular you-pick apples.
Honeycrisp | The one everyone waits for. Crisp, sweet, and impossible to describe if you haven't tried one. High demand every year; comes in waves.
Cortland | Snow-white flesh that resists browning. Ideal for salads and fresh eating.
Jonagold | A cross between Jonathan and Golden Delicious. Rich, full-bodied flavor and great for everything. Jonathan | Classic tart apple with a deep red skin. Old-fashioned in the best way.
Golden Delicious | Mild, sweet, and mellow. A versatile kitchen apple.
Fuji | Sweet, dense, and one of the last to ripen. Worth the wait.
Varieties ripen on a rolling basis and some may be limited. We recommend calling ahead at 319.354.5651 before making the drive, particularly during peak weekends in late September and early October!
WHAT TO EXPECT
🍎 Rows and rows of mature apple trees
🍕 Pizza & Cider Shack serving up artisan pizzas and our full lineup of Wilson's Cider (NA and hard cider)
🍩 Apple Cider Donuts (Fresh Daily)
🥟 Turnovers (Fresh Daily)
🥯 Fresh Bagels (Fresh on weekends, frozen during weekdays)
🍞 Fresh Sourdough (Fresh on weekends, frozen during weekdays)
🥐 Croissants (Fresh on weekends)
📸 Photo opportunities among the apple rows
🛝 Farmyard fun with indoor & outdoor play spaces for little ones to roam free, plus an animal viewing area to visit our sheep and llama
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Admission Required for Ages 2+
Fall Farm Admission (Required to Enter Fields)
🌾 Wed - Fri: $TBD
🌾 Sat - Sun: $TBD (online) | $TBD (in-person)
Fall Farmyard Admission (Optional Add-On)
🛝 Wed - Fri: $TBD
🛝 Sat - Sun: $TBD (online) | $TBD (in-person)
Weekend Package (Farm & Farmyard Bundle)
📦 Sat - Sun: $TBD (online) | $TBD (in-person)
Tractor Ride Add-On (Subject to Availability, In-Person)
🚜 Tractor Ride: +$TBD per person
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Apple-Picking Prices (Subject to change!)
You-Pick:
🍎 ½ Peck (5-6 lbs) | $15
🍎 1 Peck (10-12 lbs) | $22
🍎 1 Bushel (42 lbs) | $72
Pre-Picked Apples:
🍏 ¼ Peck (1-3 lbs) | $9
🍏 ½ Peck (5-6 lbs) | $16
🍏 1 Peck (10-12 lbs) | $26
🍏 1 Bushel (42 lbs) | $90
*Pre-picked apples are first-come, first-served, and not guaranteed daily. If you’re traveling from a distance, please call ahead at 319.354.5651 before you leave.
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Fall Hours
⏰ Farm Market: Wed to Sun (9am - 9pm)
⏰ Farmyard & You-Pick: Wed to Sun (9am - Dusk)
⏰ Closed: Mon to Tue
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💬 QUESTIONS? Call 319.354.5651 or reach out to us at [email protected]
🐕 PET POLICY: Pets are NOT allowed in edible you-pick patches due to USDA guidelines. They are allowed at the Farmyard, Ciderhouse Patio, and the picnic areas. Pets must be leashed at all times, and can't be inside any of our buildings.
📷 PHOTO POLICY: Professional photography is not only allowed, but encouraged! We ask that all guests entering you-pick fields pay standard farm admission, and try not to disturb the experience of other guests. Also, if you wish, tag Wilson's when posting on social media!
☔ WEATHER POLICY: This experience is weather-dependent. We recommend checking the forecast and dressing accordingly! In case of severe weather, we will close the patch early and notify our guests through social media.
📅 WHY AREN'T THE EXACT DATES SET YET? If you’ve lived in Iowa, you know we’re all on Mother Nature’s timeline.
😂 Warmer days, late frosts, sudden cold snaps, it all affects our crops! We’ll announce exact dates, admission details, ticket information, and special offerings once we’re closer and can confidently predict when the fields will be at their very best.
‼️ Additional details will be shared as the event approaches on our socials. Be sure to mark your calendar and follow along, as this summer tradition fills quickly. We cannot wait to welcome your family back to the farm!