Minnesota’s only native apple tree is the crab apple, and Native Americans harvested its fruit. Early white settlers brought their own seeds and apple tree seedlings with them to Minnesota, but their efforts to grow them here were often met with failure. Growing fruit-bearing apple trees in Minnesota proved to be a challenge in the 1850s and 1860s due to the harsh weather. Settlers recount setting out 50, 75, or 100 apple trees, watching them grow for a few years, become stricken with blight, and die within ten years of planting.

Peter Gideon’s years of effort to find a winter hardy apple were eventually met with success when he crossed the Duchess of Oldenburg and Jonathan apples with seeds from an apple grower in Maine. The resulting Wealthy apple, named after his wife, proved to be a turning point for the Minnesota apple growers. The Wealthy apple has a strong legacy in the state. It made commercial apple growing possible in Minnesota and is the parent stock of many other apples, including the Haralson, Beacon, Epicure, Laxton's Fortune, and Red Sauce.

In March of 1878, the Minnesota legislature established the State Experimental Fruit Farm near Peter Gideon’s land in Excelsior. There, they tested and developed best practices for grafting, pruning, and growing apple trees and other fruit in Minnesota. Peter Gideon ran the fruit farm, planted apple and fruit trees, and distributed tens of thousands of seeds across the state and beyond.

Farmers and fruit growers began planting orchards both big and small. Many farm orchards included different varieties — some suited for baking and cooking, others for apple cider, and still others for eating fresh. Some of these orchards are highlighted in the articles below. Click or tap on the images to access the full articles.

In 1873, the Minnesota State Horticultural Society (MSHS) began publishing the minutes of its annual meetings. This publication evolved into a magazine called The Minnesota Horticulturist and it included information about growing all types of produce in Minnesota — especially apples. The following issues of The Minnesota Horticulturist feature articles on growing apples, including useful tips about planting, grafting, pruning, and propagating. Click on the images to access the full articles.

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