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Johnny Appleseed Day

History · Nature · September 26

Johnny Appleseed Day honors the American folk figure known for planting apple trees across the frontier, and the orchards and stories he left behind.

Johnny Appleseed Day falls on Sunday, September 26, 2027. That is 334 days away.

Johnny Appleseed was a real man, John Chapman, who became one of the best known figures in American folklore. He traveled the frontier planting apple nurseries, and his name grew into a legend about a barefoot wanderer with a sack of seeds.

The true story is a little different from the picture books, and in some ways more interesting. Chapman was a practical nurseryman. He planted trees ahead of settlers, then sold or traded the young saplings to the families who arrived later. Apples grown from seed rarely taste like their parent tree, so many of his apples were better suited to cider than to eating out of hand.

The legend also gave him a tin pot for a hat. Historians are not sure he ever wore one, but it has stuck to him the way stories do.

People mark the day in quiet, outdoor ways. Some visit an orchard or a farm stand. Some bake with apples or press cider. Schools often tell his story, and gardeners sometimes take the day to plant a tree of their own.

One thing to try is a side by side tasting of a few apple varieties. A tart green apple, a sweet red one and something you have never heard of will show just how much a single fruit can vary, which is exactly what made planting from seed such a gamble.

Ways to celebrate

• Try a tasting of three or four different apple varieties.
• Visit a local orchard, farm stand or farmers market.
• Read a book about the real John Chapman.
• Plant a tree in your yard or a community space.
• Bake something simple with apples and share it.

Dates

Categories: History daysNature days