FROM LEFT : The orchard at Sweet Berry Farm ; the eight-foot-tall sasquatch at Narrow Lane Orchard in North Kingstown greets guests as they arrive .
A
h , autumn : When the blistering , humid temps of summer finally ease into a pleasant , balmy breeze made for cozy sweaters and fireside chats surrounded by a swath of vivid oranges , reds and yellows . But perhaps most significantly , it ’ s when most New Englanders ’ palates are overcome with a sudden , primal , very specific fruit craving . And while some may default to the patch-grown , spiced latte-flavored variety — yes , pumpkins are fruits — they really can ’ t hold a jacko ’ -lantern candle to the staying power of the apple . There ’ s a reason this semisweet treat pops up in everything from the story of Adam and Eve to Snow White : Apples are pretty darn irresistible , especially when delicately harvested straight from the branch . Rhode Island has its fair share of admirable orchards , but here ’ s a deeper dive into some of the ones we have our eyes on this fall .
PHOTOGRAPHY ( PREVIOUS PAGE AND THIS PAGE , LEFT ): COURTESY OF SWEET BERRY FARM / KATHERINE SUNGARIAN GAGLIANO ; ( THIS PAGE , RIGHT ): COURTESY OF NARROW LANE ORCHARD .
NORTH Phantom Farms , Cumberland
ABOUT : More than a century ago , Thompson Hill was but a blanket of apple trees and cow pastures before William Butler built a farmhouse in the 1930s as a secret hideaway for drinking and gambling during Prohibition . Hence , the name “ Phantom ” was born . In the 1950s , the Roberts family added a farm stand and cider mill and thus began the property ’ s farm and orchard operations . The past ten years , in particular , have been dedicated to replanting , and owners Jason and Martha Macari , who took over the beloved fourteenacre farm in August 2022 , plan to build up and continue the farm ’ s transformation . SEASON : “ We are thinking it will be a bit earlier this year , maybe around Sept . 9 , due to the rain and humidity ,” say the Macaris .
“ The end date is also determined on how quickly and busy we are in the beginning of the season — it usually lasts around four weeks .” PYO HOURS : 9 a . m . to 4 p . m . ( with last entry at 4 p . m .). WHEN TO GO : No reservations are needed for apple picking , but the Macaris warn that the orchard gets very busy , so it never hurts to stop by on a weekday . PICKINGS : Phantom Farms will offer visitors two sizes of bags for picking . Check the website for pricing . GOOD TO KNOW : The farm has a few standard rules when it comes to picking , including no climbing the trees and no shaking of the trees for both the patrons and the trees ’ safety . In the same vein , the Macaris advise visitors to be aware of bees and falling apples . Meanwhile , dogs , large bags ( for stowing apples ) and strollers are prohibited on the orchard ’ s grounds . APPLES AVAILABLE : Phantom Farms grows more than fifteen varieties of apples , including Cortland , Macoun , Fuji , Blondie , Gala , Pink Lady , McIntosh , Honeycrisp and Golden Delicious . TIPS : “ Macouns , Gala , Honeycrisp and Mc- Intosh are best for eating ,” say the owners . “ Cortlands and McIntosh combined make the best baking apples .” MORE IN STORE : In addition to the orchard , Phantom Farms is home to a delicious cafe and bakery . “ We also sell bags of pre-picked apples in store , and we make and sell frozen apple crisp , apple crisp topping , fresh sliced apples and apple turnovers ,” they add . “ Plus , fresh-picked blueberries , hardy mums and a variety of other farm products .” But one of the biggest draws tends to be Phantom
122 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l SEPTEMBER 2023