storybook orchard

This is Storybook Orchards' peak season and you do NOT want to miss it! You can visit them in Story City or at the Downtown Farmer's Market in Des Moines every Saturday through the end of October and just before Thanksgiving. They are a real farm, run by the dad, mom, and the kids. Besides apples, they raise buttercup squash (much sweeter and better than ALL the others, in my opinion) tomatoes, peaches, and gigantic yummy cauliflower, among other things. Shop local and support this lovely, hardworking family. Trust me, we've been buying from them for many years and if you want quality, visit them, and remember: "you get what you pay for". The Farmer's Market has bathroom facilities, is handicapped accessible and there's plenty of parking if you arrive early. I even go to the market in the rain to buy their apples!

Slow down on I-35 South when you're heading to Ames, IA. I passed right by Storybook Orchard and had to go a few miles South before I found an overpass to turn around. Am I glad I did!Being from Texas, I thought apples were a Washington or Michigan crop. I had no idea there were apple orchards in Iowa. I spent about an hour taking pictures, eating apples from the trees, and speaking to the owners. They were very helpful and generous. I ate several delicious varieties of apples that week as I drove across Iowa. I recommend taking a little time to stop and visit on your next trip to, or through, Iowa.