About Montgomery Orchard
Scott and Barb Wardell planted the first block of this orchard, Orchard A, in 1999 and have added a new lettered section nearly every year since, growing it close to six times over. The rest of their land, a mile east of the Highway 99 and 13 junction, is in conservation, with hardwoods, evergreens and restored prairie crossed by several miles of trails where pheasants and deer turn up.
Twelve apple varieties ripen from First Kiss around August 20, through Zestar, SweeTango, Sweet 16, Cortland and Honeycrisp, to the late group of Haralson, Honeygold, Fireside and Connell Red around September 20, and the farm grows two kinds of pears. You can pick your own or buy bagged apples. In 2026 the orchard and Cider Haus are open Saturdays and Sundays, 10am to 5pm, with October 17–18 the last apple weekend.
The Cider Haus serves ciders and wines made from apples grown here: a dry sparkling cider, one flavored with honey and Chestnut crabapples, a maple cider, a cider fermented with English ale, a cranberry-apple cider, an apple white wine and a semi-sweet wine from orchard-grown plums, plus two oak-aged applejack-style spirits. Fresh sweet cider can be reserved by the gallon, and the store sells caramel apples, jams, salsas and baking mixes. Local musicians play on the porch on fall Saturdays, and pizza is listed for Saturdays from 11am to 1pm. After apple season the farm sells cut-your-own Christmas trees and runs wreath-making classes.
Morning Glory Valley, the nearest lavender farm, is about 22 miles north near Jordan, roughly 35 minutes away.
What to do
- Pick your own apples on fall weekends; varieties change weekly
- Walk the trails through evergreen tunnels and restored prairie
- Taste house-made hard ciders and apple wines at the Cider Haus
- Reserve gallons of fresh sweet cider by phone
- Hear live acoustic music on the porch on fall Saturdays
- Make a wreath from orchard greenery ($53, November 21 or December 5, 2026)
- Cut your own Christmas tree
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Apples ripen from about August 20 to late September and sell through mid-October (last weekend October 17–18, 2026); Christmas trees and wreath classes in late November and December
- Hours
- 2026: orchard and Cider Haus Sat–Sun 10am–5pm; last apple weekend October 17–18
Good to know
- Age
- 21 or older to taste or drink alcohol
- Dogs
- Not allowed
- Reservations
- Wreath classes require phone sign-up
Tips for your visit
- Plan a designated driver if anyone in your group will taste at the Cider Haus
- Call ahead to reserve gallons of sweet cider
- Leave pets at home; they aren't allowed in the orchard
- Youth groups can ask about discounted picking rates
Pair it with a lavender farm
Morning Glory Valley · about 35 minutes away
Morning Glory Valley is about 35 minutes north near Jordan; visit the lavender in summer and come back to Montgomery for apples in fall.
Getting there
Questions
Are dogs allowed at Montgomery Orchard?
No. Dogs and other pets aren't allowed in the orchard.
Do they make their own cider and wine?
Yes. The hard ciders and wines are made from apples grown in the orchard, and the plum wine from plums grown there too.
When does apple season end?
In 2026 the last apple weekend was October 17–18; Christmas trees and wreath classes follow in late fall.
🗺️ 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
