About Fireside Orchard & Gardens
Fireside Orchard sits on Highway 19 west of Northfield, about 30 minutes south of the Twin Cities. The Harvey family made the first plantings in 1986, the production building went up in 1995, and a new retail building opened in 2019. Darren Winfield and his family bought the 50-plus-acre orchard in 2022, and most of the original trees have since been replaced.
The orchard focuses on Minnesota apples, 27 varieties in all, including Honeycrisp, SweeTango, Zestar!, Haralson, KinderKrisp, First Kiss, SnowSweet and the Fireside apple the orchard shares a name with. The crop starts with Centennial crabapples in mid to late August; Chestnut crabs follow in early September, Sweet Sixteen in mid to late September, and SnowSweet closes things out in mid-October. Their website lists what's in stock, and you can order online for curbside pickup.
Leave time to walk the grounds. Rose, perennial and water gardens, a koi pond with a gazebo, a pavilion for sitting and yard games on the south lawn turn an apple run into a picnic, and the orchard keeps a collection of antique tractors. Groups of 10 or more need to reserve with management before arriving. The orchard also sells at the Minneapolis Farmers Market.
Lavender Barnyard in Farmington is about 11 miles north, roughly a 20-minute drive.
What to do
- Choose from 27 Minnesota apple varieties, mid-August to mid-October
- Try SnowSweet, the last apple of the season, in mid-October
- Walk the rose, perennial and water gardens
- Watch the koi from the gazebo
- Picnic at the pavilion and play yard games on the south lawn
- Order online for curbside pickup
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Apples from mid–late August (Centennial crab) through mid-October (SnowSweet)
- Hours
- Open daily 9am–5pm (2026 website)
Good to know
- Reservations
- Required for groups of 10 or more
Tips for your visit
- Bring a picnic to enjoy at the pavilion and gardens
- Check the variety list on their website before you drive
- Call ahead to book a group visit of 10 or more
Pair it with a lavender farm
Lavender Barnyard · about 20 minutes away
Lavender Barnyard is about 20 minutes north in Farmington.
Getting there
Questions
How many apple varieties does Fireside Orchard grow?
27, with a focus on Minnesota-grown apples.
Can groups visit Fireside Orchard?
Yes. Groups of 10 or more must reserve with management before arriving.
Can I order apples ahead?
Yes. They take online orders for curbside pickup.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farm of the Twin Cities South Metro, Minnesota
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
