This year's apple picking season could be one of the best, orchards say

GRANT, Minn. -- We're now in prime apple picking time, and local growers say this year's crop is one of the best yet.

So far this has been Sunnybrook Orchard's most successful growing season since they started growing apples in 2016. Last year they had two bushels of Zestar apples to sell, this year they have 155 to sell.

Last year, bad weather destroyed their crop. The growing season started out well despite the drought, because they have an irrigation system in place on the farm. But late summer hail and wind storms came through and either knocked their apples off the trees early or damaged a majority of the apples that stayed on the tree.

"The hail we had last year was a very fine hail, and when I came out after the storm I couldn't even see the damage, but the ants and hornets do and they immediately exploit that damage and crack in the apple. Next thing you know it's an apple you can't sell," said the owner of Sunnybrook, Jeff Anderson.

Now, they have their eyes on the Honeycrisp apple, which will be ready to pick soon. Anderson says they're ready for customers to come down and pick from their trees this weekend, but that's all weather-dependent.

So far this year, Sunnybrook Orchard dodged any damage.

"Having these cool nights and warm days are what really ripen the apples nicely," said Anderson, "We've picked already 12,000 lbs. of apples, and that's only half our orchard, we still have another half to pick."

Anderson says their SweeTango and Zestar apples have already been picked this year, and are ready for customers to purchase.

For comparison, last year, they only had two sellable bushels of the Zestar, and this year they have 155 bushels.

"The Zestars are one of the first to ripen. They're a big apple, they're a little more fragile and they took the brunt of the hail storm last year," said Anderson.

Apple picking is earlier in the month of September, than most may think. Anderson says don't wait until October or everything will be picked over.

The next ripe apple that's ready for your reach is a fan favorite.

"The Honeycrisp has a great balance of acid and sugar that when it's ready, there's a splash of flavor, [and] you know," said Anderson, "It's really a great Minnesota tradition."

Sunnybrook hours are:

• Mon - Closed
• Tue - Closed
• Wed - 10:00 am – 04:00 pm
• Thu - 10:00 am – 04:00 pm
• Fri - 10:00 am – 04:00 pm
• Sat - 10:00 am – 06:00 pm
• Sun - 10:00 am – 04:00 pm

They post updates on when their apples are ready to pick on their website and Facebook page.