Honeycrisp lovers rejoice: We're hitting peak apple picking season in Minnesota

State of play: Among the apples ready now are Honeycrisps, which ripen right in the middle of the typical picking period.

• "To me, this is the peak of the season," David Bedford, a senior research fellow specializing in apple breeding at the University of Minnesota, told Axios."That's right where we are."

Driving the timing: While weather and rain can impact the quality of the apples, one of the biggest factors behind the picking window is the timing of the spring bloom.

• "That's when the train leaves the station," Bedford said. "That determines when the fruit ripens."

What we're hearing: This year's bloom hit around it's typical time, meaning we're in for a relatively normal fall for apples.

• Plus: The apples appear to have responded well to the warm, rainy summer.

What they're saying: "This has been a good summer, and what that means is that the size is good, the texture is good, and the plants are happy," Bedford said.

Threat level: A hard freeze can damage the fruit, so it's best to go before overnight temperatures dip to those levels.

• A good "end" date to keep in mind is Oct. 20, but it could always happen sooner.

Between the lines: Minnesota's cold climate makes it an ideal place to grow Honeycrisps, so if you want the best flavors this fall, buy local.

• That's not always easy because apples typically aren't labeled beyond their country of origin, though many local grocers advertise when they're Minnesota grown.

If you go: Plenty of local orchards allow patrons to pick their own and pay by the pound, along with offering other fall food and activities like fresh pies, corn mazes, hayrides and petting zoos.

• Different apples ripen at different times and most orchards will only offer a few types to pick yourself.
• So it's good to research the options if you're looking for something specific.

Make your plans with our full list of 21 apple orchards near the Twin Cities.