Hutchinson isn’t known as a hot-bed of Minnesota-grown apples, but the area north and east of the city is home to a cluster of eight thriving orchards that open each fall around Labor Day.

The orchards range from 150-tree hobby operations on two acres to commercial ventures of several dozen acres with up to 7,700 trees. The apples range from old favorites such as Beacon, Cortland, Fireside, Haralson, Lakeland and State Fair, to new popular eating varieties such as Honeygold, Honey Crisp and Zestar.

One of the newest is Cedar Hill Orchard, a 5,500-tree orchard seven miles northeast of Hutchinson on Major Avenue. It packages apples for the Twin Cities wholesale market, but apples are available in a remodeled barn shop open to the public about three or four weekends each October.

The oldest is probably Lakeview Orchard. The first of 2,500 trees were planted during World War II nine miles north on Meeker County Highway 14 (the Darwin Road). Craig and LaVonne Nelson purchased it in 2003.

Perhaps the most unusual orchard in this area is the 22-year-old Carlson’s Orchard, Bakery & Restaurant, about nine miles northeast of Silver Lake. Joe and Colleen Carlson have 3,500 trees on 12 acres. A converted dairy barn has an apple shop, as well as a busy bakery and restaurant featuring fresh apple pies, turnovers and muffins, sandwiches and apple cider.

Another multi-faceted operation is Julie and Karl Townsend’s Hillside Farm, about two miles north of Dassel on State Highway 15. They also have a strawberry patch, Christmas trees, and host school tours.

The Kirchoff family’s new Apple Shack, four miles north of Hutchinson on State Highway 15, is an older orchard with a renewed commitment to its 10 varieties.

One of the lesser-known orchards is Ron Shimanski’s on the outskirts of Silver Lake. Apples from his 1,200 trees mainly go to Twin Cities’ farmers’ markets. Local customers should call (320) 327-0112 before visiting.

Two small hobby orchards are K & B Kreekside Orchard, with 160 trees along State Highway 22, just south of Litchfield, and Lisa and Ron Nyquist’s 550-tree Countryside Apple Farm one mile east of Cokato on U.S. Highway 12.