ABOVE: A line of trees contain Sweet Tango, Zestar and First Kiss apples at Center Creek Orchard in Fairmont. Center Creek Orchard will open on Saturday, Sept. 20 and stay open over the following six weekends. However, apples can be purchased currently.

FAIRMONT — The summer season is ‘peeling’ away into fall, and two local apple orchards are prepared to carry on the seasonal community traditions with their various apples and opportunities.

Center Creek Orchard is a community-driven apple orchard with 1,000 apple trees. It is operated by long-time owners Gordy and Karen Toupal. The orchard is slated to open to the public on Saturday, Sept. 20, and will be open for the following six weekends. Activities include hayrides, jump pad, zip lines, superslide, barrel rides, apple sling, basketball, haunted trail, mazes, fall-themed decorations and more activities for all ages.

“We just started picking last week. We’re at the very beginning right now, but we expect a big year,” said Gordy Toupal.

This year, Center Creek Apple Orchard’s flavor focus surrounds First Kiss, Zestar and Sweet Tango apples. Toupal reported that the weather, including the generous amounts of rain accumulated in previous weeks, has served the apple trees’ health remarkably.

“We have one of the better crops we’ve ever had right now. You know, actually, the rain’s been good for the apples. It actually plumps them up a little bit. We got off to a good start, had lots of blossoms, made a good pollination, and so the apples are…it’s one of the better crops we’ve had,” Toupal stated.

While anticipating numerous sales for the apples, Toupal said he is excited to see the community take advantage of their other offerings.

“You know, people come out here, they spend the whole day here. Yeah, the people come back year after year. You know, sometimes we even get people as far away as Minneapolis-St. Paul and Sioux Falls come here. And they meet their families down here. Yeah, it surprises us every year how many people come.”

Toupal explained that the orchard strives to add new offerings to the list each year. He said this year there will be a new bubble-blowing station. Overall, Toupal has great expectations for this season at Center Creek Orchard.

“[I am] satisfied seeing everybody coming out here and having a good time,” Toupal shared. “I say just join in the fun. I say it’s a great family activity. Every year we seem to do a little bit better, and every year we’ve sold out our apples, and I expect that this year, too, even with the big crowd.”

Timberlake Orchard offers visitors a setting with 3,000 apple trees in 17 flavors. The orchard also offers several baked goods made with the apples and has many items for sale. This year marks the 10th year of operation for the current owners.

According to Owner Alden Zeitz, harvest began last week, and the orchard is ready for its opening at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30.

“[There’s a lot of] commitment to maintain an orchard. It’s a year-round thing. Usually, as far as working in an orchard, I’ll start pruning in February, and then maintain it. Then once the trees bud out and bloom, it’s just maintaining the orchard. And then of course, when fall comes around, we’re picking apples. Our busiest time is September, when we’re picking a lot. It’s when fall is kind of in the air, and everybody is kind of out experiencing all the fall activities. It’s our busiest time,” Zeitz said.

He said that in the last decade, Timberlake Orchard has seen people from far beyond the Martin County area, including Mankato, Iowa, South Dakota and other regions. Timberlake Orchard and its successes are spread frequently by word of mouth, according to Zeitz.

“We’re drawing people from a longer distance than I anticipated. So it’s kind of interesting where people find us. Most of the time, they hear about us from people who live here in the area. They’re either relatives or friends who come and visit once in a while. That’s usually how that takes place, which makes us feel good that we’re good enough where they’re telling their family and friends about us. So they come and visit. We must be doing something right,” Zeitz said with a smile.

He emphasized Timberlake Orchard’s value for deep customer relationships and the development of new ones.

“You know, what really helps with the motivation is our customers coming in. Our customers. It’s just like when they first come through the door, when we first open in the weekend, it’s almost like seeing an old friend you haven’t seen for a while,” Zeitz remarked. “A comment that’s pretty common among our local customers, that they appreciate that we’re here.”

Timberlake Orchard is located at 176 200th Avenue in Fairmont. Following its opening at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30, it will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. It will be closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Customers interested in purchasing baked goods are encouraged to contact the orchard in advance. More information and orders can be acquired by contacting Timberlake Orchard at

(507) 235-2648.

Center Creek Orchard is located at 663 254th Avenue in Fairmont. Apples can be purchased currently before the official opening date. To order and or for more information, contact Center Creek Orchard at (507) 773-4547. Admission will be $10 per individual, and children ages two and under will be admitted free.