Apple And Pumpkin U-Pick Orchards in east-central Iowa in 2024, by county
Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for apples and pumpkins that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have apples and pumpkins orchards that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!
Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!
PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.
Johnson County
- Wilson's Orchard - apples, pumpkins, Honey from hives on the farm, Cider mill fresh apple cider made on the premises, gift shop, concessions \\/ refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, birthday parties, weddings and wedding parties, school tours
4823 Dingleberry Road NE, Iowa City, IA 52240. Phone: 319-354-5651. Email: info@wilsonsapples.com. Open: daily August through October; August and September hours are 10 am to 7 pm; October hours are 10 am to 6 pm. Directions: 2 miles north of I-80 (Exit 246) on Highway 1, then 1 mile east on Dingleberry Road. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard.
Wilson's Orchard Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: 319-541-7682. .
Pumpkin
Pumpkin Picking Tips, Recipes and Information
Do you want it for a party, decoration or eating?
For a wedding or party:
See this page: Finding pumpkins for weddings
Decoration to paint or carve:
OK, Then you need only look for any pumpkin that is- visually appealing, evenly a deep orange. The shape is just whatever appeals to you. If it grew on its side and has a flat spot, you can either make that the make or use it as part of your design!
- free from cuts, soft spots, bruises. The flesh should feel hard, and not give easily. Infections can invade easily and cause rot
- Make sure the stem is attached.
Store it carefully, especially if you pick it from the vine yourself. Cure a fresh-picked pumpkin by keeping it in a dry place. Don't handle or disturb it. Curing toughens the rind, making it less prone to rot. Pumpkins will keep for months in a cool (50 F to 65F dry, low humidity environment; such as a cool, dry basement.
Tip: If you like roasted or baked pumpkin seeds, you can save the seeds from any pumpkin!
To make a pumpkin pie!
Then you need a small, sweet type of pumpkin that has been developed for eating. They are smaller, typically about 8" to 10" diameter. The meat is much less stringy and smoother than a decorative pumpkin variety. Pumpkin is rich in vitamin A and potassium. One-half cup of cooked pumpkin provides more than the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A. One cup of cooked pumpkin contains only 81 calories. It's low in fat and sodium! Usually you can get these at the grocery store, and some of the pumpkin patches and farm stands have them. Be sure to tell them that you intend to use it for a pumpkin pie. Again, look for firm, no soft spots, or signs of any rot. See this page for easy, illustrated directions to make a pumpkin pie from a fresh pumpkin!
Varieties of Pumpkins
- Sugar - Excellent for baking
- Jack O'Lantern - most common for carving
- White Lumina - unusual, medium-sized white pumpkin
- Mini - Great for decoration
- Gourds - Many varieties, used for decorations
Want to Grow Your Own Pumpkins?
Pumpkin recipes
- How to prepare cooked pumpkin from a fresh pumpkin (for use in all the recipes)
- Illustrated instructions to make a pumpkin pie from a fresh pumpkin - the best pumpkin pie you will ever taste! (metric version for the UK, Europe, Australia, Japan, etc.)
- How to home-can pumpkin (in a cooked, cubed form) and why you shouldn't home-can the pureed forms.
- Traditional Pumpkin Pie
- Chocolate pumpkin pie
- Pumpkin Spice Muffins
- Pumpkin muffins
- Pumpkin Bread
- Pumpkin Butter!
- Pumpkin cheesecake - INCREDIBLE!!! You have to try this one!
- Pumpkin Cookies
- Pumpkin soup - even if you normally aren't a soup lover; you will love this one.
- Butternut-Chestnut Panchetta-Bacon Soup - Pumpkin or Butternut squash combines with chestnuts and bacon, ham or panchetta in this great soup
- Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
- No Sugar Pumpkin Pie
- Apple Cider Doughnut Recipe (with maple glaze or sugar glaze)
Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)
- Farm markets and roadside stands
- Local Honey Finder
- Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
- Venues: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
- Easter egg hunts
- Children"s consignment sales
- Fruit and vegetable festivals
- Winery tours and wine tastings
- Horse rides, stables, lessons, trails
- Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
- Bed & Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
- Pumpkin patches
- Corn mazes
- Zombie Paintball venues
- Christmas Tree Farms & lots
- Environmental resources
- Consumer fraud information
- Wholesale food sources
- Resources for Farmers
Looking for canning equipment and supplies?
Water bath canner with a jar rack
Pressure canners for gas, electric and induction stoves: Presto 23Qt or T-fal 22Qt
Canning scoop (this one is PERFECT)
Ball Blue book (most recent version)
Find Other types of farms:
Farm markets and roadside stands
Road trips and camping resources
Local Honey, apiaries, beekeepers
Consumer fraud and scams information
Home canning supplies at the best prices on the internet!
Maple Syrup Farms, sugarworks, maple syrup festivals
Environmental information and resources
Farms For Your Event for birthday parties, weddings, receptions, business meetings, retreats, etc.
Festivals - local fruit and vegetable festivals
Get the
most recent version of
the Ball Blue Book
