Last year was a tough year for apple growers. Most Iowa orchards lost nearly all of their apple crops to a late-spring freeze that was compounded by drought. But this year, orchards are expecting a bumper crop of apples, and growers are enthusiastically gearing up for apple-picking season.

At 3 Bee Farms, a third-generation family farm near Griswold, more than 20 different apple varieties grow on 1,200 trees spanning 17.5 acres,  along with 6 acres of garden produce, a corn maze and a pumpkin patch. Donna Brahms, who co-owns the orchard with her husband, said this year’s crop looks great.

“Anything looks better than last year,...