Upstream Gardens & Orchard
Altoona, IA
At a glance
- Address
- 987 Ne 88th St, Altoona, IA 50009
- Activities
- 🍎 Apples
- Phone
- (515) 957-1303
- Website
- upstreamgardens.com/contact.html
- Typical season
- Aug to Oct (apples, varies by farm)
- Listing updated
- Feb 2024
- [email protected]
- Contact details from
- USDA Local Food Directories
- Payment
- Cash, Check
- Social
- County
- Polk County, IA
- Hardiness zone
- USDA zone 5b
- Source
- USDA Local Food Directories
Picking weather
National Weather ServiceLoading the forecast…
Weather only. It does not tell you whether the farm is open, so check hours with the farm.
Make a day of it
- Public restroom 2.2 mi
- Playground 1.8 mi
- Gas station 2.1 mi
- EV charger 2.2 mi
- 63 places to eat within 5 mi DQ Grill & Chill, Jimmy John's, Domino's
Farmers markets nearby
- Bondurant Farmers' Market Bondurant · 3.8 mi
- Pleasant Hill Farmers Market Pleasant Hill · 5.6 mi
- Eastside Farmers Market Des Moines · 8.2 mi
CSA farm shares nearby
- Balance Autism Farm and Greenhouse 3.3 mi
- New Family Farm 10.4 mi
- Prudent Produce 10.5 mi
Open in Apple Maps · Google Maps directions
Nearby places from OpenStreetMap (straight-line distance). Markets and CSAs from the USDA Local Food Directories.
Weather here in a typical year
Nov here: highs around 48°F, lows around 29°F, about 1.9 in of rain, 9.7 hours of daylight.
- 🌱 Last spring frostApr 21
- 🍂 First fall frostOct 15
- ☀️ Frost-free season174 days
- 🧭 Hardiness zone5b
NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Des Moines 17 E, IA station (9.8 mi); USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 (USDA-ARS, Oregon State University PRISM). Averages, not a forecast. Crops ripen earlier after warm springs.
What you can pick here
- ApplesAug to Oct
Typical US ranges from extension service crop calendars, not this farm's own dates. Seasons shift by region and weather, so check with the farm.
Before you go
- Check that it is open. Look at the farm website: hours and crops change with the weather.
- Bring cash and a card. Some farms take only one.
- Water, sun protection and closed-toe shoes.
- A bag or box for the ride home, if the farm allows your own
- Comfortable shoes for orchard rows
- Hand wipes
- Ask about pets before you bring a dog.
More tips: your first u-pick visit.
How to pick like a pro
- Is it ripe?
Ripe apples come off with a gentle lift and twist. If you have to yank, it is not ready. Background color shifts from green to yellow or cream.
- How to pick
Lift the apple up and twist; do not pull straight down or shake the branch. Leave the stem on. Set apples in the bag, do not drop them, because bruises spread.
- Best time to go
Weekday mornings. Weekend afternoons in late September and October are the busiest.
- Keep it fresh
Refrigerate; most varieties keep for weeks. Keep away from bananas and greens, because apples release ethylene.
Farm country: Polk County
Polk County had 768 farms in the latest USDA Census of Agriculture (2022). Of those, 82 sold food straight to the public and 8 earned money from agritourism like u-pick and tours.
- 17 acres of apples
USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2022 Census of Agriculture. Some county numbers are withheld to protect individual farms.
Check hours before you go. Listings come from public directories and many were last updated in 2024.
Farms nearby
Farms in Iowa · Apple orchards everywhere
Plan your trip
Questions about Upstream Gardens & Orchard
Is Upstream Gardens & Orchard open today?
We do not track live hours. Check the farm website before you go. Our listing comes from public directories and was last updated Feb 2024.
When is the season at Upstream Gardens & Orchard?
Apples typically run Aug to Oct in much of the US. Exact dates depend on the farm, the region and the weather, so confirm with the farm.
Where is Upstream Gardens & Orchard?
The listing gives the address as 987 Ne 88th St, Altoona, IA 50009. Use the Directions button for turn-by-turn directions.
Can I bring my dog to Upstream Gardens & Orchard?
Pet rules vary by farm and by field. Many u-pick farms do not allow dogs in picking areas for food safety. Ask the farm before you go.
Is this listing wrong?
Farms can fix or claim a listing for free on our add or claim your farm page.