What's in Season? Eat Fresh & Local in DSM: September Edition

Apples
September marks the beginning of peak apple season in DSM, with locally grown varieties ready for picking at orchards and showing up in cider, baked goods, desserts and other fall favorites.

Eggplant
Eggplant continues to thrive into September, bringing one of late summer’s most versatile vegetables to farmers’ markets, farm stands and seasonal restaurant dishes.

Grapes
September is grape harvest season in Iowa, with locally grown varieties ripening at vineyards across the DSM region and making their way into wines, juices and other locally made products.

Pears
Fresh pears begin reaching their prime as summer turns to fall, bringing naturally sweet flavor to farm stands, baked goods, salads, drinks and seasonal desserts.

Peppers
Bell peppers, jalapeños and other varieties continue into September, bringing plenty of color, crunch and varying levels of spice to farmers’ markets and local menus.

Pumpkin
Pumpkin season begins to take off in September as local patches open for fall and pumpkin flavors start appearing in baked goods, drinks, desserts and seasonal dishes.

Root Vegetables
September brings an abundance of hearty root vegetables and tubers, including carrots, sweet potatoes, potatoes, turnips and rutabaga, as the harvest begins shifting toward fall.

Sweet Corn
Catch the last of DSM sweet corn season at the beginning of September, with fresh ears still available at select farm stands and farmers’ markets as the summer harvest winds down.

Tomatoes
Locally grown tomatoes remain plentiful into September, offering one last stretch of peak summer flavor for sandwiches, salads, sauces and seasonal dishes.

Winter Squash
September welcomes the beginning of winter squash season, with varieties like butternut, acorn and delicata arriving at farms and farmers’ markets and adding a distinctly fall flavor to local menus.

Visit in September: Fresh-Picked and You-Pick Farms Near Des Moines

Center Grove Orchard

Cambridge | 32835 610th Ave.
Apple season is here at Center Grove Orchard, where more than 34 varieties grow across a 20-acre orchard. Purchase a you-pick bag and wander the rows to fill it with ripe apples, with picking expected to continue through early November depending on availability. Admission is required for guests ages 3 and older and includes Farmyard fun and unlimited rides on the Center Grove Orchard Express Train.
LEARN MORE

Howell’s Greenhouse & Pumpkin Patch

Cumming | 3145 Howell Court
Pumpkin picking opens at Howell's Greenhouse & Pumpkin Patch Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. Hop on an old-fashioned wagon ride out to the patch and take your time picking the perfect pumpkin from every size, shape and color imaginable, with wagon rides included in admission and pumpkins priced separately. Once you've got your pick, make a day of it with the Corn Maze, Corn Indy Pedal Go-Karts, Corn Cannon and a Kiddie Korral full of Duck Races, Wiggle Cars and Pedal Tractors, then refuel with fall treats like kettle corn, caramel apples, apple cider mini donuts and pumpkin bars.
LEARN MORE

Iowa Orchard

Urbandale | 9875 Meredith Drive
Apple picking returns to Iowa Orchard beginning Labor Day weekend, with varieties like Honeycrisp, Gala and McIntosh ready to pick as the harvest gets underway. You-pick hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, with last admission at 4 p.m. each day, and picking continues into mid-October. Prefer to skip the picking? Stop by for pre-picked apples and fresh bakery treats to bring some of the flavors of fall home.
LEARN MORE

Wills Family Orchard

Adel | 33130 Panther Creek Road
Pick your own apples during festival weekends at Wills Family Orchard, where approximately 20 varieties ripen at different times throughout the fall. September festival weekends take place Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 12-13, 19-20 and 26-27, 2026, with apple picking available while supplies last. Make a day of your visit with hayrides, a corn maze, corn pools, duck races, a low ropes course and other Fields of Fun activities.
LEARN MORE

Wilson’s Orchard & Farm

Cumming | 3201 15th Ave.
Apple season takes center stage at Wilson’s Orchard & Farm, where more than 25 varieties offer plenty to discover beyond the grocery store. Pick your own or grab pre-picked apples, then round out your visit with tractor rides, apple cider donuts, fresh-pressed cider, cider slushies, homemade soft-serve ice cream and farm-to-table food. September brings even more reasons to visit with Honeycrisp Weekend Saturday, Sept. 5 – Monday, Sept. 7, 2026 and Crimson Crisp Kickoff Weekend Friday, Sept. 25 – Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.
LEARN MORE

Where to Find Seasonal Drinks in Des Moines

Barn Town Brewing

West Des Moines | 9500 University Ave., Suite 1110
Grape season gets a playful twist at Barn Town Brewing with the Peanut Butter & Grape Jelly Sour, a gluten-free kettle sour conditioned on peanuts and blended with Concord grape juice for a beer that tastes just like a PB&J sandwich. Craving apple instead? Look for their rotating Caramel Apple fruited sour on tap.
LEARN MORE

Grounded

Marshalltown | 36 W Main St.
Fall flavors have arrived at Grounded with a Pumpkin Cold Brew and Apple Crisp Chai, both featured on the shop’s fall specials menu. Stop in for a cozy seasonal sip while exploring Marshalltown’s historic Main Street.
LEARN MORE

Tassel Ridge Winery

Leighton | 1681 220th St.
One of Iowa's largest wineries, Tassel Ridge grows 17 grape varieties on-site and turns them into award-winning wines ranging from dry to sweet. September's harvest makes it a perfect time to stop in for a tasting.
LEARN MORE

Winterset Cidery

Winterset | 1638 Highway 169
September's apple harvest comes to life at Winterset Cidery with two standing favorites: Estate, a hard cider made from 23 different apple varieties grown right on their orchard, and Apple Pie, a hard cider with warm cinnamon and homemade apple-pie flavor.
LEARN MORE

Find Seasonal Desserts in Des Moines This September

Crouse Cafe

Indianola | 115 E. Salem Ave.
An Indianola institution since 1946, Crouse Cafe bakes a rotating selection of homemade pies from scratch every day. Look for apple alongside other favorites, including its nationally recognized cherry pie. And make sure you get there early because pies have been known to sell out before dinner service ends.
LEARN MORE

Snookies Malt Shop

Des Moines | 1810 Beaver Ave.
Cool off with a Pumpkin Arctic Freeze at Snookies, a fall favorite blending pumpkin flavor into their signature soft-serve treat. Snookies typically closes for the season in late September or early October depending on the weather, so get your fix before it's gone until next year!
LEARN MORE

The Bakery Unlimited

The Frosty Udder

Restaurants with Seasonal Menus in Des Moines

Benola's Pub & Patio

Baxter | 108 N Main St.
Bell peppers are still going strong in September, and Benola's puts them front and center in The Philly, a hoagie loaded with chopped steak, green peppers, onions and mushrooms. Pair it with a side of sweet potato fries for another taste of the season. The Fajita Salad also brings the peppers, topped with Mancini peppers, pepper jack cheese and pico de gallo.
LEARN MORE

Machine Shed Restaurant

Urbandale | 11151 Hickman Road
Apple season makes its way onto the menu with the Roasted Stuffed Iowa Chop, a National Pork Recipe Contest winner stuffed with warm apple raisin dressing and finished with an apple bourbon sauce. Save room for The Apple Dumpling, a Shed classic since 1978 made from founder Mike Whalen's Aunt Grace's recipe and served warm with cinnamon ice cream, or the Fruit Crisp, made with seasonal fruit and an oatmeal streusel baked in a cast iron skillet.
LEARN MORE

Prairie Canary Restaurant & Bar

Grinnell | 924 Main St.
Sliced apples take the spotlight at Prairie Canary in the Apple Salad, tossed with mixed greens, dried cherries, spiced almonds and gorgonzola in a house-made champagne vinaigrette. Pair it with the Fried Green Tomatoes, a menu staple marinated in buttermilk and flash fried with a remoulade finish, for a starter that leans into the season.
LEARN MORE

Seasonal Events Happening in September in Des Moines

Lone Oaks Farm Farm-to-Table Dinner

Winterset | 1582 N. River Trail
Celebrate DSM’s late-summer harvest at Lone Oaks Farm on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, with a multi-course farm-to-table dinner from Chef Aaron Holt of Catering by Doolittle Farm. Known for his relationships with local farmers and focus on seasonal ingredients, Chef Aaron will create a thoughtfully prepared menu highlighting what’s fresh from local farms. Dinner will be served inside The Barn at Lone Oaks Farm from 6-10 p.m., and tickets must be purchased in advance.
LEARN MORE

Grade A Gardens Dinner on the Farm

Earlham | 34802 I Ave.
Head to Grade A Gardens on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, for Dinner on the Farm with Chef Ryan Skinner of The Cheese Bar and the Iowa Culinary Institute. With a passion for local food and a background that includes Harbinger and Poor Man’s Supper Club, Chef Ryan will create a menu showcasing farm-fresh produce and the flavors of the September harvest. Dinner begins at 4:45 p.m., and advance tickets are required.
LEARN MORE

Middlebrook Farm Farm-to-Table Dinner

Cumming | 4300 Cumming Ave.
Experience the September harvest at Middlebrook Farm on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, during a special farm-to-table dinner from MasterChef Season 13 winner Grant Gillon in collaboration with Chef Chris Hoffman. The five-course menu is built around locally sourced, seasonal ingredients from trusted farmers and producers, with four complementary wine pairings from Capital Call Vintners. Dinner takes place from 6:30-9 p.m., with advance reservations required.
LEARN MORE

Rose Farm Farm-to-Table Dinner

Norwalk | 7197 43rd Ave.
Gather around the table at Rose Farm on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, for a five-course farm-to-table dinner celebrating the best of DSM’s growing season. Chef Aaron Holt creates a locally sourced menu highlighting fresh ingredients, while guests enjoy the flower gardens, golden-hour views and relaxed atmosphere of the farm. Reservations are required for this ticketed dining experience.
LEARN MORE

PepperHarrow Farm Al Fresco Dinner in the Dahlia Field

Winterset | 1809 S 4th Ave.
Dine among the flowers at PepperHarrow Farm on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, during an al fresco dinner featuring a fall-inspired menu from Tangerine Food Co. Set among the farm’s dahlia and lavender fields, the evening features dishes like Delicata Panzanella Salad, Duck Confit Cappelletti with Butternut Squash Sauce and Orange Ricotta Cheesecake. Dinner begins at 5 p.m. and continues through sunset, with advance registration required.
LEARN MORE

Bochner Farms’ Farm-to-Table Dinner

Indianola | 17072 88th Ave.
Spend a fall evening at Bochner Farms on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, with a four-course farm-to-table dinner prepared by award-winning Chef Aaron Holt. The evening begins with a nibble board and welcome mocktail, followed by time to explore the flower gardens before dinner under the bistro lights of the open-air garden pavilion. The menu highlights locally grown ingredients and fresh flavors from the fall harvest. Advance ticket purchase is required.
LEARN MORE

Farmers’ Markets + Local Shopping in Des Moines

Des Moines Downtown Farmers’ Market

Des Moines | Downtown Historic Court District
September brings a shift toward fall at the Downtown Farmers' Market, where vendor booths fill with apples, winter squash, root vegetables and the last of the season's tomatoes, peppers and sweet corn, alongside plenty of locally made foods to round out your market bag. Farmers' market season is still going strong into September at markets across the region, including the Downtown Farmers' Market, Stuart Farmers' Market, Clarke County Farmers' Market and Panora Farmers' Market.
LEARN MORE

Hy-Vee Homegrown Program

Various Hy-Vee Locations Across DSM
Keep an eye out for the Hy-Vee Homegrown label while grocery shopping. The program highlights produce sourced from Midwest farms, helping shoppers find local fruits and vegetables close to home.
LEARN MORE

Seasonal eating in DSM changes month to month, which means there’s always something new to discover. Check back next month for more local flavors, fresh finds and seasonal foodie experiences across Greater Des Moines (DSM).

Keep up with the momentum that's happening in and around Greater Des Moines (DSM) when you subscribe to one or all of the Greater Des Moines Partnership's newsletters — they're packed with the latest news, highlighting everything from upcoming events to development projects to policy updates. Join the mailing list to connect with The Partnership and help amplify stories from around the region.