Want Apples? Get Them Right Here in Minnesota

If you don't want to, you don't have to cross state lines to get great apples. Although I have been to the Apple Festival in Bayfield, Wis., the first weekend in October, which has lots of apples and lots of fun, but it has way too many people for me, and you have to book hotels at least a year in advance if you want to be any closer than Duluth.

Minnesota has 24 locally grown varieties of apples. Some of them are:

• Cortland: mildly tart but good for many uses including freezing
• Fireside: sweet and good for many uses
• Honeycrisp: great for eating
• Haralson, McIntosh, Paula Red and Wealthy: great for caramel apples, jelly and freezing

It's fun for the whole family to go out picking, but you can get already picked ones too if you choose. Learn more about Minnesota apples and orchards near you by searching the dirctory at Minnesota Grown.

By the way, in addition to being a tasty treat, apples are a good source of energy and vitamins. Enjoy!