Local Fruit Grower Sweeps State Fair Competition

Dr. Robert Sonntag’s five-acre property in Medina is full of trees that he planted himself since moving there in 1986. His property includes nut trees, fruit trees, pine trees, prairie flowers, native grasses, vegetable gardens and more.

“This entire property was an empty field when I bought it,” Sonntag said.

While he calls himself a “hobbyist” fruit grower, Sonntag’s fruit won 24 awards in the 2011 Minnesota State Fair amateur fruit competition.

Sonntag’s apples, plums, pears and cherries won 21 first place awards, two second place awards and one third place award.

Points are given for each award in each lot of fruit. Sonntag also won the Overall Sweepstakes Award, which goes to the exhibitor with the highest total points.

“I started entering years ago,” Sonntag said. “I’ve won almost every year out of 20 except for one year when I had hail.”

The 100 fruit trees on his property include seven or eight cherry trees, six or seven plum trees and four or five pear trees.  The majority of his fruit trees are apple trees, including Cortland, Fireside, McIntosh, Honey Crisp and others.

Fittingly, Sonntag calls the fenced-in orchard on his property Bob’s Orchard.

“One of my goals, and it’s been achieved this year, is to go out to the orchard and every apple is perfect,” said Sonntag.

Fruit growing is a labor of love for Sonntag, a physician with HealthPartners who specializes in geriatric medicine.

From early April to Aug. 1, Sonntag sprays his fruit trees every seven to 10 days. He said that if it has rained, he will spray more often. All of the fruit must be picked when it ripens.

“Picking season starts in the third week of August,” Sonntag said. “And different varieties ripen at different times."

In his orchard, Sonntag also grows pumpkins, gourds and hops, which his son uses to make beer.

As a member of the Minnesota Apple Growers Association (MAGA), Sonntag volunteers in the apple information booth at the Agriculture Horticulture Building at the Minnesota State Fair. He tells people that they should spray their fruit trees 10 or 12 times per growing season.

“The crucial time to spray is May and June,” said Sonntag.

While his orchard isn’t open to the public and he doesn’t sell his fruit, Sonntag hosts apple picking parties and has donated fruit to food shelves. However, he said he always picks the best fruit for the Minnesota State Fair competition.

Prizes for winning in the Minnesota State Fair fruit competition include monetary awards, ribbons and trophies, but the most coveted prize may be the adoration of other fruit growers.

Sonntag said that when some people have met him at the State Fair, they’ve said, “You’re Bob Sonntag? I’m out to get you one year.”