ABOVE: B-51 apple trees as seen in Timberlake Apple Orchard left of their apple shop. Currently, the orchard is open for customers to buy their goods and pick their own apples.

FAIRMONT — Natural scenery with amber leaves, sunny skies and ripe apples ready to be picked–it’s a clear sign that the Autumn season has nearly arrived. Martin County apple orchards are ready to welcome visitors to their vibrant pastures to preface their fall with entertaining activities and lots and lots of apple picking.

Visiting the nearest apple orchard is one of the many ways to embrace the transition of a new season. One of Martin County’s fall attractions includes the Timberlake and Center Creek apple orchards, which not only provide attendants with entertainment or a juicy treat to sink their teeth into but also several agricultural lessons and hands-on experiences with nature.

Timberlake Apple Orchard has been open for customers since Labor Day weekend this year, welcoming flooding customers into their stores to browse their collection of goods and pick apples first-hand in their orchard of more than 3,000 apple trees. Alden Zietz is the co-owner, along with his son, Josh. Timberlake Orchard is located on 200th Avenue.

The family bought the orchard from another family, but the land has existed and the orchard operated for more than 40 years. Under Zietz’s management, he and his son have been operating the apple orchard and store for approximately nine years. In 2018, the orchard welcomed several more expansions to catch the attention of the community and draw customers into their doors.

“I didn’t grow up thinking I’d be an owner of an Apple Orchard, I can tell you that,” Zietz explained with a hearty laugh, “but I got into gardening at an early age.”

Zietz and his family’s passion for gardening is what encouraged him to advance his orchard to one that sold apples and other fruit products. Currently, Timberlake Apple Orchard sells apples of several varieties, customer-picked apples, apple-flavored goods, sweet treats, Minnesota and Iowa merchandise, candles, mugs and more including personal orchard tree tours. It was spectated by orchard workers that the most popular apple flavors include Sweetango and B-51.

Regarding new features, Zietz said that he is planning to keep the question of ‘what new apple varieties’ a secret until they reach his store, therefore new apple products will remain a mystery until Timberlake Apple Orchard announces it themselves. However, he described he hopes to transition into selling pears and more fruits as well as other miscellaneous plans for store expansion.

“Some of these trees have been here since the 90’s,” he said, while he demonstrated the varying appearances of the apple trees.

“Our most recent trees were planted this year. [With so many trees], it’s sometimes hard to keep up,” he laughed.

Zietz said that besides the work needed to be completed in the orchard, he is very excited to see returning customers and new faces this year.

“The turn-out increases every single year, and we like to talk to the customers. Occasionally, we’ll see someone walk and they’ll be like, ‘Oh, I’ve never been here before’,” he said. “It’ll be a great opportunity for all of them to explore the orchard.”

With more than 3,000 trees, Timberlake Apple Orchard requires a lot of picking, watering, care and maintenance. Zietz explained that the trees struggle with deer, rabbits, mice and critters picking away at them.

“I recently completed a fence around the orchard to help with the deer. Unfortunately, the mice and rabbits are destructive,” he said.

However, Zietz recalled that he received a generous abundance of field help in previous years from other local farmers, gardeners, close friends, family and even students from neighboring high schools. The orchard welcomes volunteers and field hands to assist with the apple growing and harvesting seasons. Interested community members can contact Zietz and Timberlake Apple Orchard by calling 507-235-2648.

He describes his orchard to be unique in the sense of his products. For example, Timberlake Apple Orchard presses their own apple cider, which reportedly is one of the many original products he sells within the Martin County area.

Timberlake Apple Orchard is a seasonal opportunity and is open Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays from 9 am to 5 pm. On Sundays, it is open from 11 am to 5 pm. The orchard is closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. According to Zietz, the orchard will close during the holidays in December. However, with their apple orchard shop wrapped up for the year, the family plans to unveil a holiday open house for the community.

In addition to Timberlake Apple Orchard, the community earnestly looks forward to Center Creek Orchard autumn (and spooky-themed) festivities. Operating for approximately 18 years, Center Creek Orchard offers an agricultural experience with a generous amount of entertainment for the entire family. Started by Gordy and Karen Toupal, the apple orchard offers apple-picking, slides, zip lines, hay rides, train rides, a haunted trail and more to bring the magic of autumn to families and preface Halloween in October.

“We offer pumpkins, apples, food and entertainment,” Gordy stated. “There are 800 trees in the field, and we have been picking them for the last two weeks.”

Gordy explained that the apple orchard strives to add a new, small feature every year to vow constant expansion for the fields and what they offer. Gordy explained that mini donuts, a highly requested feature by returning visitors, are a new feature at the orchard this year.

“We try to add the little things every year, one of the things we wanted to add was pig races, which would be really popular,” Gordy stated.

In addition, with a team of hard workers, Gordy and Karen are able to prepare for the seasonal event as soon as one month in advance of the opening date, according to Gordy. After the orchard opens, the field has a team of 12 people to assist with activities, booths and apple picking.

Gordy said both he and Karen didn’t have significant farming experience before buying the orchard 18 years ago. However, he described that the apple picking and orchard work was a demanding but wonderful job. Providing Martin County with one of its most anticipated fall events encouraged them to keep the orchard to keep running for so many years.

“It’s a good agricultural experience,” Gordy said. “Sometimes, school-children will stop by and explore the area; learn new things.”

Gordy and Karen eagerly anticipate when the orchard opens on Sept. 14, kicking off the fall season with food and entertainment to keep their visitors occupied for the entire day.

“We’re both looking forward to seeing the people arrive,” Gordy said with a smile.

Center Creek Apple Orchard will open for the season beginning 10 am to 6 pm, on Saturday, Sept. 14. Credit and debit cards are accepted for purchases made on the orchard. Call 507-773-4547 for more information, or visit the official website (centercreekorchard.com).