PICKINGS : Grenier says the most popular apple variety ( aka the trees that empty out the quickest ) is the Honeycrisp followed by the Macoun . Yet , you shouldn ’ t count out the Empire . “ It ’ s a very delicious apple ,” he says . “ It ’ s very crisp and sweet but people are so set in their ways when they hear the Honeycrisp apple is the best apple out there .” BY THE NUMBERS : The orchard has peck-based and half-bushels for sale . Check the website for pricing . WHEN TO GO : Grenier says visitors may want to consider stopping by on a weekday , or even a day that has less than ideal weather , to avoid the crowds . Plus , “ generally , the third week of September is the best time because that is when a lot of varieties are ripe .” Reservations are not required . MORE FOR THE PICKING : Blueberries and blackberries are also ripe for the picking from the second week of August until the second week of September . “ We ’ re also going to have a pumpkin patch this year , which we ’ ve never had , around the end of September ,” Grenier adds . MORE IN STORE : If the fruits alone aren ’ t enough to satisfy your fall cravings , the orchard also sells apple crisp , jams and honey . PLUS : Ever wanted a selfie with a sasquatch ? Now ’ s your chance . “ Sharon calls him Mc- Intosh ,” Grenier says . “ He ’ s about eight feet tall and carved out of a tree ! We were visiting my daughter in Vermont and there ’ s an incredible wood carver out there . We were driving down the road and I saw it and I just said , ‘ I have to have that .’” Giant apple in hand , McIntosh now stands at
Picking apples at Steere Orchard in Greenville .
Narrow Lane ’ s orchard and greets guests with a snaggle-toothed smirk . WHERE ELSE : Narrow Lane regularly appears at farmers markets including Fridays at Goddard Park , Saturdays at URI and Sundays down in Galilee through October . 213 Narrow Ln ., North Kingstown , 294-3584 , narrowlaneorchardri . com
Also check out : Appleland Orchards , 135 Smith Ave ., Greenville , 949-3690 , applelandorchards . com
Barden Family Orchard , 56 Elmdale Rd ., North Scituate , 934-1413 , bardenfamily orchard . com
Jaswell ’ s Farm , 50 Swan Rd ., Smithfield , 231-9043 , jaswellsfarm . com
Pippin Orchard , 751 Pippin Orchard Rd ., Cranston , 943-7096 , pippinorchard . com
Steere Orchard , 150 Austin Ave ., Greenville , 949-1456 , steereorchard . com
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF STEERE ORCHARD .
Apple of RI
Did you know that Little Rhody has an official state fruit ? That ’ s right , up in the same symbol status ranks as the Rhode Island Red and coffee milk ( state bird and state drink , respectively ) is the Rhode Island Greening . And believe it or not , the name did not come about as a result of its coloring . According to legend , the first of its kind was grown around 1650 from a seedling by a Mr . Green in none other than the Green ’ s End area of Middletown . This Mr . Green owned a tavern in town and originally called his creation the “ Green ’ s Inn Apples from Rhode Island ,” but eventually the name was pared down to Rhode Island Greening . A cousin to the Granny Smith in both its look and crisp taste , the species was once the most popular apple grown in New York during the nineteenth century . The hype may have died down a bit since , but it will forever live in our state archives , ahem , hearts .
Season 2 coming October 6
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