Your Guide: Apple Picking Season in Johnston

Written by Rob Borkowski

Johnston families are fortunate to have orchards in their back yard to turn to for their annual apple-picking tradition, and this year's crop is a good one.

"The season itself looks gorgeous," said Allison Jaswell-Molis, owner of Jaswell's Farm in Smithfield. "The apple crop looks incredible."

Allison and her brother, Chris, run the farm at 50 Swan Road, which has been been in business for 114 years. They're the fourth generation to take the reins. 

Apple picking starts at the Jaswell Farm on Saturday. The also offer fall tours and has a farm stand/bakery for patrons. 

According to their website, the Jaswells were one the first farms in the area to offer pick your own to their customers. It's a part of local family life Allison said they're happy to participate in. "We're proud to be part of family traditions," Allison said. 

Apple picking has been open at Steere Orchard in Greenville, 150 Austin Ave., since early August. Steere Orchard is also a family farm with a long tradition in town, dating back eight decades to 1930. 

This year, said owner John Steere, the crop is doing well. "It looks great," he said. Though the apple trees don't need much rain, Steere said it's possible the rainy summer helped the apples grow a little bigger. The orchard also offers free hay rides on the weekends. "It goes along well with the pick your own," Steere said.

Steere Orchard also has a farm stand and offers school tours.

For more information, Call Jaswell's Farm at 401-231-9043, orSteere Orchard at 401-949-1456.