October 9, 2025
The leaves outside have officially started to change color and are beginning to cover the ground. After a stubborn day this past Saturday, it seems summer's grip has finally given out, and the cooler fall temperatures have swooped in, treating us quite nicely.
Jack Frost officially arrived early Wednesday morning, ending the growing season for several crops outside, but remember, it is October and we do live in Minnesota, so it is time to let some things go. Chilly starts to the day have been common, giving us a gentle warning that the time was coming soon, and that it did.
Overall, October has been extremely pleasant thus far. We live for these sunny days with a slight breeze, which are perfect for all the outdoor work that must be completed quickly. A little rain would be nice for the parched earth, but honestly, it would be detrimental to our fall harvest and productivity right now.
Final Harvests & Fall Cleanup
The growing season is wrapping up, but a few things are hanging on in the tunnels, like green beans and late-season tomatoes. We hope to keep these going for about another week.
The last of the sweet corn will be harvested this weekend—get it while you can before the long wait until next season. If you’re craving one last taste of summer, this is your final chance!
While we continue to harvest fall crops like apples and pumpkins, the great fall cleanup has begun and is an everyday task.
Pumpkin Season: Yields and Shortages
We are hitting the busiest few weeks of pumpkin season, and we're hoping Mother Nature cooperates. We have to haul bin upon bin out of the field, and it’s much easier when the ground is dry, not wet and muddy.
This year's pumpkin season is an interesting one. Because of our incredibly wet spring, pumpkin yields are down, but the pumpkins we do have are absolutely beautiful.
We’ve been getting a lot of calls from customers—and for good reason. Several states, including Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, are experiencing a significant pumpkin shortage due to challenging growing conditions. We hope to be able to cover all our customers, but only time will tell. If you’re a current customer of ours reading this update, please do not worry, we have you covered.
Looking Ahead: The Final To-Do List
As we head into the final few weeks of October, we have a hefty to-do list:
- Apples still need to be harvested in the orchard, specifically Snowsweet and Haralson.
- Fields need to be worked.
- Tunnels need to be cleared out and then skinned (our term for removing the plastic covering for winter).
- Field crops (corn and soybeans) need to be combined.
Field corn and soybeans will sit in storage until next spring or summer, when we hope prices will be higher than they are now. Soon after, rye will be planted so we can harvest straw next spring. These tasks are all clear signs that the season's end is near, and slower days are ahead.
A Glimmer of Hope from Washington: H2A Program
While we typically focus on the farming side of things, we’ve been paying close attention to what's happening in Washington D.C., specifically concerning agricultural issues. One of the biggest challenges for the industry is securing a stable workforce.
As the recent Federal government shutdown loomed, we received some promising news regarding the H2A agricultural guest worker visa program. Many U.S. farms, including Untiedt's, rely on this program to bring workers here legally. For over 37 years, the program has remained unchanged, becoming increasingly costly and burdensome to administer.
Finally, the Department of Labor and the Department of Agriculture worked together to implement some program modifications. What a novel idea! Not everything is fixed, and there’s still a long way to go, but these advancements should help American producers as a whole. It's a much-needed glimmer of hope amidst the current chaos.
Thank You to Our Team
As we begin to wrap up another season, it’s time for many of our seasonal workers to return home to their families. Most of our dedicated team will leave by the end of the month, while a few will stick around until early to mid-November to help with final cleanup and maintenance. We couldn’t do what we do without this amazing group of extremely skilled and talented employees!
Final Days to Visit
The final couple weeks of our retail season are upon us!
- Our Buffalo and Wayzata locations will have their last day on Sunday, October 19th.
- Our Montrose Garden Center will be open through Sunday, October 26th.
- The Eden Prairie, Edina, Maple Grove, and Minnetonka Garden Centers will remain open until the final week of October.
Now is the perfect time to pick out your perfect Jack-O-Lantern, stock up on squash, grab some apples for a delicious crisp, and pick up mini pumpkins for a fun fall tablescape. Don’t forget, we still have great fresh produce available, so visit us often to grab your favorites before the season ends!
