Berry farms are found across the state.
Minnesota is known as the "Star of the North," and is pretty cold in the northern parts, even in summer when highs typically don't get beyond 60 degrees F. Growing seasons can be a bit shorter than other states, however Minnesota manages to successfully grow a number of fruit trees and bushes. One thing is certain; there's no shortage of water for plants, with the annual rainfall. The land itself has 13,136,357 measured acres of surface water. Several berries make the top 10 common fruits list, as do a number of stone fruits; these can be found at local markets, fruit stands or grown in your own garden. Does this Spark an idea?
Cherries and Plums
You can find apples at a farmers markets or grow them yourself.
The Mt. Royal European Plum and several hybrids can be found and grown in Minnesota. Hybrid varieties include Superior, Alderman, Underwood, Pipestone and LaCrescent. The cherries are all tart varieties, most of which are Meteor, Mesabi and Northstar. If you plan to grow any of these, you'll need "at least two cultivars of each fruit in the planting, since each cultivar requires pollen from a different cultivar for fruit set," as directed by the University of Minnesota Extension program.
Apples and Pears
Certain types of plums grow well in Minnesota.
Several different types of apples and pears are commonly found in Minnesota, though grocery stores have imported types not locally grown, such as Asian pears or Bartlett and Bosc. These are not hardy enough to grow in the state, but pears that do well include Parker, Ure and Luscious pears and McIntosh, State Fair, Regent and Honeycrisp apples. Crabapples found locally are Chestnut, Centennial and Whitney.
Apricots and Currants
Two types of apricot are the main ones grown in Minnesota, both of which were developed by the University of Minnesota: Moongold and Sungold. Apricots can be found fresh or dried at farmers markets and other local stores. Currants, closely related to gooseberries, can be found in red, white and black varieties. These grow on canes, and the best types found in the state are Consort, Perfection, Viking and Red Lake.
Berries
Some people grow their own apricots.
Almost all berries grow in Minnesota. You'll find raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and cranberries. These make up the remaining most-common fruits in the state. Many school programs use these fruits for growing projects, especially strawberries which are the most popular in the U.S. A number of different berries grow wild throughout Minnesota, too; whether you pick them wild or grow your own, they are popularly used for making jams and jellies.
Tags: berries grow, farmers markets, grown Minnesota, University Minnesota