Apple picking in Massachusetts: a favorite fall tradition for so many. Let Hardy and me be your autumnal guides.

 

For those who have been snoozing under a pile of leaves for the last year, Hardy–in addition to his eighteen other jobs–is on weekdays from 4-7 p.m. right here at Boston’s ROCK 92.9. So most days at right around 3:45 p.m., we have a chat, I kick off two hours of commercial-free rock, then he takes the helm. During a recent chat, I was grousing about getting ripped off at a local farm. $24 each for my and my son to walk into their apple orchard and pick a half-peck of apples. You can hear my rant below.

 

That led to a bit of reminiscing from Hardy. For those of you who remember our days together on WBCN, you might recall a pretty famous bit we collaborated on. After a failed family meet-up at a local apple orchard (our small children and various nap times contributed to the failure), Hardy and I hit the studio. Modeled after Saturday Night Live‘s “Lazy Sunday” digital short that went viral a million years ago, we each wrote some verses about apple picking. I picked a beat, Hardy produced it, and pretty soon we found our Apple Rap on TV, soundtracking local news stations’ trips to the orchard we rapped about.

 

Apple picking in Massachusetts

Believe it or  not, some studios WBCN listener captioned the audio and uploaded it to YouTube a million years ago. So I’ve posted it below. I think it still stands up. My kids, now more grown up, found it “cringe.” I don’t care. I stand by my work with my friend Hardy and I hope you get a kick out of it, even if some of the references are dated. Oh, and I threw in a few of my favorite apple orchards for you to visit this fall, too.

  • Apple Rap

    Certified banger.

  • The Inspiration

    Remember this one?

  • The Beat

    Method Man, remixed by The Prodigy. Killer cut.

  • Adam 12's Apple Rant

    I will not name the farm.

  • Carver Hill Orchard

    I always have a great time at this smaller orchard that’s hidden in plain sight between two larger ones.

    What a gorgeous day for apple picking! Open daily 9-5 (last entry 4pm) Picking Honey Crisp, Macintosh, and Cortlands....

    Posted by Carver Hill Orchard on Saturday, September 17, 2022
  • Shelburne Farm

    If you’re looking for something bigger–with animals and things for young kids to do–this is the place for you.

  • Bolton Spring Farm

    Maybe the best PYO experience I’ve ever had. Lots of hills, lots of scenic views. A great workout and the apples are tops.

    Some of the trees in our orchard are a hardy 100-years-old, which is why we always have apples, even late into the...

    Posted by Bolton Spring Farm on Saturday, September 26, 2020