Where to Buy Pawpaws in Iowa

2 verified places to buy or pick pawpaws in Iowa. Confirm availability before you visit. Pawpaw season is short.

Iowa lies near the northwestern edge of the pawpaw's range, so most growers either order trees from a regional nursery or visit a u-pick in season. Olivia's Orchard in Parnell sells nursery stock, and Red Fern Farm in Wapello is a longtime u-pick where you can gather your own. The season is short and fruit ripens from mid-September into October, which favors early-ripening varieties; Allegheny, Kentucky Champion, and Pennsylvania Golden are the dependable picks.

U-Pick

1

Red Fern Farm

Wapello

U-pick pawpaws mid-September to first hard freeze; reservation required by September 1.

Pricing$4/lb u-pick, $6/lb pre-picked; $50 reservation deposit

Nursery

1

Olivia's Orchard

Parnell

40-acre agroforestry farm (est. 2015): 10+ acres chestnuts plus pawpaw acreage; sells chestnut and pawpaw trees, seeds, scions.

Nothing close enough?

Fresh pawpaws also move by mail in season, and frozen pulp ships year-round. See where to buy pawpaw fruit for the verified sellers that ship, typical prices, and how the short season works.

Want to plant your own?

To grow pawpaws in Iowa, see where to buy pawpaw trees — specialty nurseries that ship across the US, plus how to choose grafted versus seedling trees. Plant at least two genetically different trees so they can cross-pollinate. You can also check whether pawpaw grows where you live.

The Pawpaw Report

Season-opening alerts by region and nursery restock notes from the map, grafted trees sell out in days. Monthly to quarterly most of the year, more often in pawpaw season; unsubscribe anytime.

Enter a valid email address.

Double opt-in; your address is used for this newsletter only. See Terms.

Last updated