Smithfield is known as the “Apple Valley” of Rhode Island, and it is no wonder with the many orchards to choose from for some great apple picking!  The season is off to a good start, even with the drought, many of the orchards started early for pick-your-own!

Most everyone has heard the saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.”  In a recent “Doc Giff” column that we read in the Times, scientists seem to concur. “The scientific consensus is clear. Apples contain a lot of good things.”  Read More.  So not only is apple picking a family fun activity for fall, it is also good for you, so lets get out apple picking!

Jaswell Farm, one of the oldest orchards in Smithfield,  is always on our list for some apple picking! With a variety of apples in their orchard as well as homemade cider and cider donuts. Their market also carries other seasonal farm produce and local dairy products, it is a veritable farmers market. MORE INFO

This year we headed out to another orchard in Smithfield on the other end off 116, Appleland Orchard. With a name like Appleland you would expect all things apples, and we stocked up on apple cider, some apple pie as well as the freshly picked bag of apples! Also available for sale were candied apples, chocolate covered apples, caramel apples, cider donuts as well as apple jellies and jams.  We also couldn’t resist picking some some very large peaches! This is a great spot if you want to avoid crowds and make your own path into the orchard.  McIntosh and Honey Crisp were the varieties ready for picking and boy what delicious apples! MORE INFO

There are a couple of other orchards and farms to  in the area you might want to check out.  Steere Farm , which offers pick- your-own apples available daily is currently featuring McIntosh and Courtland.  Families will enjoy the hayrides offered on the weekends!

We also recommend checking out Phantom Farms in Cumberland for apple picking, and afterward enjoy a slice of apple pie and coffee on the porch. Call for more information (401) 333-2240.

Don’t have time for picking your own? Many of the orchards also have markets and bags already filled with the apple of your choice as well as several other nearby farm stands like Pleasant View Orchards in Smithfield, Goodwin Brothers Farm Stand in North Smithfield and Old Orchard Farms in Manville.

Speaking of apples, did you know that William Blackstone, for which the river and valley takes its name, actually planted his own variety of apples along the river in the proximity of the Lonsdale Marsh. It was known as the Yellow Sweeting and was the first apple variety named in America!