Apples for the Picking

by Julia Romano

During the fall months, apple picking has been a favorite pastime of my family and is an event that we have enjoyed since our teenagers were toddlers. Along with picking apples and using them to make pies, we never left the farms without letting the tots choose the best pumpkins in the patches. My kids hold these memories dear, as they are now older, and still love to make a day out of visiting RI’s farms every year in October. There is no doubt that they will continue this tradition when they have children of their own.

Appleland Orchard

135 Smith Avenue, Greenville 401-949-3690 www.applelandorchardri.com

With a name like Appleland, it is no surprise that this orchard carries just about every known apple product: apple pies, apple turnovers, apple dumplings, apple wine, candy apples, chocolate covered specialty apples — the list goes on. But the cherry on the (apple) cake is definitely their cider doughnut. Fried in house with their own awardwinning apple cider and coated in cinnamon and sugar, these doughnuts are as good as can be imagined. You can either order the doughnuts on the phone or get them right up at their counter. Apples, peaches, pears by bag or bushel, 100% all-natural cider made on premises, apple cider vinegar, mums, pumpkins, fall decorations. Gourmet chocolate apples, candy and caramel apples. Hot apple cider donuts all fall!

Confreda Greenhouses and Farm

2150 Scituate Avenue, Cranston 401-827-5000 confredafarms.com

This farm has “Fall Fest’’ where families can purchase tickets for $10 to spend two hours on the farm riding the hayride, exploring the corn maze and picking pumpkins for an additional cost. If you are looking for something spooky you can also buy tickets to Scary Acres, Confreda Farm’s haunted hayride that runs every weekend until Oct. 30 opening at dusk and closing at 10 pm

Barden Family Orchard

56 Elmdale Road, North Scituate 401-934-1413 bardenfamilyorchard.com

This orchard is all ready for apple pickers. Take a stroll up the hill and wander the sprawling grounds to choose the juicy varieties of McIntosh, Gala, Cortland, Jonagold and Honeycrisp. The farm also presses its own cider and offers a selection of super pumpkins and sherbet-hued gourds. Some peaches are also still hanging on trees and tomatoes are available for purchase, too.

751 Pippin Orchard Road, Cranston 401-943-7096 www.pippinorchard.com

A Rhode Island landmark, Pippin Orchard has been providing farm fresh produce for Cranston and residents of RI for decades. From the moment you walk through the front door, the smell of fresh apples, apple donuts, and pies fill the air. Locally made goods stock the shelves. Honey, ciders, and syrups are all made right at the orchard. They are renowned for their local farm fresh eggs that are loved by all. Take the family for a ride to visit them and pick up a hot blueberry or apple pie, both which are made regularly. They even have candy apples and maple candy. Pippin Orchard is over 17 acres and is also famously known as one of the best kept and groomed orchards in New England. The orchard is open every day for ripe, eager apple pickers.

They grow Macintosh, Empire, Cortland, Gala, Honeycrisp, Macoun, Jonagold, and Red Delicious. Pick your own is $25.00 per 12lb. bag.

Dame Farm & Orchards

91B Brown Avenue, Johnston, RI 02919 (401) 949-3657 www.damefarmandorchards.com

The 2021 season is now in full swing and here’s how things work at the farm: Apple picking is a separate activity. Prior to entering the orchard, purchase a bag to fill with their juicy and sweet McIntosh, Gala, Cortland, Red Delicious, Honey Crisp, as well as others. There is a minimum purchase required for all customer groups based on the size of the group. They offer four options when it comes to prepaid apple picking bags. These bags are priced to accommodate the average group size and demands. However, as long as you meet the minimum payment required for your group, any combination of bags can be purchased.

Call ahead to ask about the availability of wagon rides and other activities.

244 Gleaner Chapel Road, North Scituate 401-934-1900 sunsetorchardsri.com

Visitors to Sunset Orchard have up to twenty-five different varieties of apples from which to choose, including Macoun, Cortland, Red and Golden Delicious. The farm’s store stocks fresh picked orchard fruit as well as homemade apple pies, unpasteurized apple cider pressed fresh on the farm, candied apples and other sweet treats.

During October, the tractor pulled wagons run on the weekends for free. One wagon is dedicated solely to the handicap - no one is left behind....don’t hesitate to call ahead for updates on wagon availability or visit their Facebook page for updates.

Sweet Berry Farm

915 Mitchells Lane, Middletown 401-847-3912 www.sweetberryfarmri.com

Sweet Berry Farm is a post-and-beam farm market and café situated on 100 acres of conserved farmland. They are located only a short distance from downtown Newport and the island’s beaches. From their market, they sell their own freshly grown seasonal fresh fruits, vegetables, cut flowers, as well as a variety of gourmet and specialty foods. The pick-your-own season spans from June through December. Pumpkin picking is also available, along with all that Sweet Berry has to offer.

For fruit, Sweet Berry Farm offers more than just strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries. In the fall months, wander the orchards to collect all sorts of apple varieties, including McIntosh, Ginger Gold, Gala, Macoun, Cortland, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, Empire, and Liberty, and in October, there’s Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Crispin, Cameo, and more. Before heading to the orchard, stop in at the farm stand to purchase your bag for picking.

Narrow Lane Orchard

213 Narrow Lane, North Kingstown 401-294-3584 facebook.com/NarrowLaneOrchard

Adults and kids can enjoy a stroll through this orchard’s ten acres while picking McIntosh, Gala, Liberty, and Cortland apples. Take the family around the perimeter of the orchard on the mile-long walking trail.