A Northfield orchard growing apples since 1971 that pairs pick-your-own rows with rose gardens and a koi pond rather than carnival attractions, listing 27 named varieties — an unusually large, specific list for this research batch.
Fireside Orchard & Gardens has grown apples near Northfield since 1971, and it stands apart in this research batch by pairing pick-your-own rows with genuine ornamental horticulture — rose gardens, a koi pond, a gazebo, and an antique tractor display — rather than the corn mazes and carnival rides found at many other Minnesota orchards. It also lists an unusually long roster of 27 named apple varieties, more specific detail than most records in this batch offer.
The record lists eleven varieties directly: Honeycrisp, SweeTango, Zestar, Haralson, Fireside, Cortland, Regent, Keepsake, McIntosh, Early Blush, and First Kiss — with the property’s own tagging confirming 27 total varieties grown. Per the research notes, these lean toward Minnesota-bred and heritage varieties specifically, which is worth knowing if you’re interested in apples developed for the state’s climate rather than just the handful of national brand-name varieties found everywhere. Fireside itself, the variety, shares its name with the orchard — a nice bit of local apple history if you want to try the apple the farm is named after.
Instead of a corn maze or petting zoo, the activities list here includes rose gardens, a koi pond, a gazebo, yard games, and an antique tractor display. That’s a genuinely different kind of fall outing than the festival-heavy orchards in the Twin Cities metro — closer to a garden visit with apple picking built in than an apple-picking visit with entertainment built in. If your group includes anyone who’d rather walk through gardens than wait in line for a hayride, this is a real point in Fireside’s favor.
One specific, useful detail: per the research notes, the orchard’s own site states that trees are kept short enough to pick entirely from the ground. That’s a small but meaningful accessibility note for families with young kids or anyone who’d rather not deal with reaching or climbing to get to the fruit.
Fireside also runs a stand at the Minneapolis Farmers Market during the season, per the research notes. That’s worth knowing if a trip to Northfield itself doesn’t fit your schedule but you’re in the Twin Cities and want access to the same fruit — though the record doesn’t specify which days or how the market stand’s variety selection compares to what’s available on-site.
Founded in 1971, Fireside has over half a century of history growing apples in the Cannon Valley area south of the Twin Cities. That kind of longevity, combined with the notably long variety list, suggests a genuinely established, horticulturally serious operation rather than a newer or more casual seasonal venture.
No pricing is listed for admission or pick-your-own apples. No cider mill or cider donuts are confirmed. And while the site’s 2026 copyright suggests it’s currently maintained, there’s no explicit dated statement confirming the 2026 season specifically, so treat the confirmed 9am-5pm daily hours as the site’s general pattern rather than a locked-in current-year schedule.
Fireside Orchard & Gardens is at 2225 Lonsdale Blvd E (Highway 19) in Northfield, Rice County, in Southern Minnesota’s Cannon Valley region. Coordinates on file are an approximate area estimate, not individually geocoded.
Fireside offers something distinct in this research batch — a genuinely large, specific variety list paired with ornamental gardens instead of carnival attractions, and trees kept low enough to pick without a ladder. The main gap is pricing, which isn’t listed anywhere in the record and is worth a call (507-663-1376) to confirm before visiting.
Not stated with an explicit dated 2026 announcement. The site's footer shows a 2026 copyright, and confirmed daily hours are 9am-5pm.
You're looking for carnival-style attractions like a corn maze or petting zoo — this property leans ornamental and horticultural instead.
The record names 27, one of the longest specific lists in this research batch: Honeycrisp, SweeTango, Zestar, Haralson, Fireside, Cortland, Regent, Keepsake, McIntosh, Early Blush, First Kiss, and more (11 are individually listed here, with the tag noting 27 total).
It's both. Per the research notes, Fireside pairs pick-your-own rows with ornamental rose gardens, a koi pond, a gazebo, yard games, and an antique tractor display, rather than carnival-style attractions.
No — the orchard's own site notes trees are kept short enough to pick entirely from the ground, per the research notes.
Since 1971, per the record — over 50 years, and it also runs a stand at the Minneapolis Farmers Market during the season.
2026 dates had not been published when we last checked. In past seasons it has run: Daily. Check with the orchard before driving out.
Pricing was not published when we last checked.
Yes — it's a pick-your-own orchard, with pre-picked apples at the farm stand too.
Honeycrisp, SweeTango, Zestar, Haralson, Fireside, Cortland, Regent, Keepsake, McIntosh, Early Blush, First Kiss — note that what's actually ready to pick changes week to week through the season.
2225 Lonsdale Blvd E (Highway 19), Northfield, MN 55057, in Rice County. It is one of 1 orchards we track in Southern Minnesota / Cannon Valley.
There is 1 other orchard we track in Rice County. All Southern Minnesota / Cannon Valley orchards →
Map pin is set to the town centre. Navigate to the street address above, not the pin.
firesideorchard.com
Checked September 2026.