Important Dates at Hinegardner's Orchard (2024)

Annual Apple Pick Dates 2024

September 21st and 22nd, September 28th and 29th, October 5th and 6th

Open

7 AM to 6 PM

Strawberries

Ready for picking:
First week of June

Cantaloupe Melons

Ripen around August 5th
and last about 6 weeks

Squash

Ripen in September & October

Pumpkins
Last Week of September

Plums

Ripen late August - early September

Annual Apple Picks
(Pick Your Own)

Sept. 21st and 22nd

Sept. 28th and Sept. 29th

Oct. 5th and 6th

7 AM to 6 PM

Cider Day

Oct. 6th

1 PM to 5 PM

2024 Growing year

Normal crop this year.

We will be open for three Pick You Own Weekends and Cider Day.

Thank you for your support for the last 64 years,

Dave Hinegardner

About Us

About Hinegardner's Orchard

Hinegardner Orchard was started in May of 1960 when the first 600 apple trees were planted by Oris and Jean Hinegardner, along with their family and friends. They were planted by hand over a weekend. Oris and Jean opened the orchard for the first "pick your own apples day" in September of 1967. Over the years the orchard has grown to about 3000 apple trees that include 20 varieties. Orchard management and ownership has now been handed down to Dave and Julie Hinegardner.

Besides the orchard and related crops Dave and Julie do have other interests. They do regular farming, but not as large as some. They have about 150 acres for corn and about the same with soybeans. Dave and Julie also have a cow and calf operation which keeps Julie on the 4-wheeler checking calving progress during March, April, and May. Somehow, owners Dave and Julie find time to have some fun. Most of the time is spent having Bampa and Meme (Grandpa and Grandma) time with the grandchildren. Of course they feel their grandchildren are very special and you can usually find at least one running around the orchard at any given time. Dave and Julie enjoy sailing and snorkeling. Often they try to go someplace in the Caribbean and rent a sailboat for a week in December. During the summer they like to spend a couple of weeks in northern Minnesota working, swimming, fishing and having a good time with family and friends.

Besides apples Hingardner's now has fresh produce and a variety of other orchard related crops. These items have been added in over the years. They still continue to have the option of pick your own or they will pick them for you. Stawberries are available at the orchard or at our local Hy-Vee and Fareway grocery stores. Berries, when in season, are also available at the Des Moines and Grinnell, Iowa Farmer's Markets. Hybrid classic cantaloupe start early in August along with early harvest apples. As the season progresses other apple varieties, squash, gourds, pumpkins, honey, apple cider, and apple pies come on line. Many of our products are also sold at local Fareway's, Hy-Vee's and Farmer's Markets.

Everything we sell here at Hinegardner's Orchard we grow right here on the farm!

FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are you located?

We are located at: 1348 295th Street, Montour, Iowa 50173

When are you open?

Starting Sept. 14th we will be open daily from 1 PM - 5 PM for picking early apples.

Annual Apple Pick: Sept. 26th-27th & Oct. 3rd and 4th

Annual Cider Day: October 11th
Cider making and participation will be from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Do you have Honeycrisp Apples and are they available for pick your own?

We have a good crop of Honeycrisp this yearand there will probably be a limited supply for pick your own.

What kind of strawberries do you grow?

For many years we have used Honeyeye. We have tried others in the past and these seem to work the best.

When are your strawberries ready to pick and can we pick our own?

We have 2 acres of strawberries and no pick your own. $35 a flat or $6 a qt.

Call 641-492-6353 to place an order.

Pick your own berries are sold at $1.60 per pound and pre-picked berries are sold at $30.00 a flat. We will furnish the containers used for picking.

What is the best cooking apple?

Dave's standard answer is Jonathon. Macintosh, Wealthy, and Jon Grimes apples are also good. Early Lodi (aka harvest apple) are also good for early cooking.

What is the best eating apple?

This is dependent on personal taste. Dave's favorites are the Jonagold. Honey Crisp's are also great! Many prefer Golden Delicious and if you like a tart apple Jonathon can't be beat.

Do you have homemade apple pies and caramel apples?

Yes, on the last weekend in September and the and 1st weekend in October. Also on Cider Day, Oct. 9th, 2016. Fresh or frozen apple pies can be can be ordered or picked up during regular business hours.

How many apple varieties do you have?

Hinegardner's has 22 different types of apples. The first ripen in July and the last in October.

See the Our Apples page for more details.

When is Cider Day?

Cider Day is Oct. 11th from 1 PM to 5 PM.

Beginning in 2015, due to Department of Public Health rules, the public will no longer be able to bring and fill their own containers with cider. New plastic containers will need to be purchased from us here at Hinegardner's Orchard.

Do you spray your apples or are they organic?

We do spray our apples with the safest fungicides and insecticides that are available. We have found that in central Iowa to have fruit that people want to buy, we have to use some chemicals.

What other products do you grow besides apples and strawberries?

We have raspberries, pears, cantaloupe, different types of squash, gourds and pumpkins.

See the Our Produce page for more details.

Honey?

Bees are essential for apple production. I do not like honey bees and they do not like me. We rent 24 swarms of bees during pollination from Phil Ebert of Linnville, Iowa. We sell Ebert Honey here at the orchard during normal business hours.