Johnny Appleseed Day: Where To Plan Your Apple Picking Trip

In children’s books, Johnny Appleseed is often portrayed as a fun, historical fellow who wears a cooking pot on his head and disperses apple seeds wherever he travels. Johnny Appleseed Day, celebrated on Sept. 25 each year, celebrates his birth, life, and generosity.

John Chapman, aka Johnny Appleseed, was a Massachusetts-born philosopher and philanthropist, who, beginning in 1802, wandered through northern and Midwestern states planting apple nurseries. His trees fed many settlers, and he was loved wherever he went.  

Now the apple doesn’t fall far from the holiday. Fall brings forth a time for harvest, and apple picking is a fun fall activity that family and friends can do together.  

Local places for apple picking:

Bascombe Farms & Orchard - 99 West Wrentham Road, Cumberland. (401) 658-1962. Open: Monday to Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. and  Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

Phantom Farms - 2920 Diamond Hill Road, Cumberland. 401-333-2240. Open: all year, every day, 7 am to 7 pm.

Jaswell's Farm, 50 Swan Road  Smithfield. 401-231-9043 (right off of Rt. 116,) Open daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from May to December. September is the month for Apple Picking (begins Saturday, Sept. 10 and extends through most of October.)  

Local farmers markets are also sure to sell apples, along with other homegrown and organic fall fruits and vegetables. 

There are lots of legends and fun tales about the life of Johnny Appleseed, so you can celebrate in many ways. If tossing seeds around a la Johnny isn’t up your alley, and it’s not a good day for apple picking, the next best thing is curling up with a nice glass of homemade apple cider.

TELL US: How are you going to celebrate Johnny Appleseed Day? Tell us in the comments below.