How the Apple Orchards Spread

March 11 is...

Johnny Appleseed Day

Johnny Appleseed,
Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, 1871
Image Source: en.wikipedia.org

The apple, ah-h-h-h! From the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden to Johnny Appleseed and onward through time, the apple identifies with religion, mythology and folktales, along with its absolute deliciousness. It is the legend of Johnny Appleseed that is the focus of this day. 

Fact or fiction?

Johnny Appleseed definitely was a person...a generous and well-traveled individual. As Johnny Appleseed traveled west, he planted apple trees along the way, and sold trees to settlers. With every apple tree that was planted, the legend grew.  

Johnny's real name was John Chapman, an American pioneer nurseryman. He introduced apple trees to large parts of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, as well as the northern counties of present day West Virginia.

A Little About the Legend:

• John Chapman (aka Johnny Appleseed) was born on September 26, 1774.
• He was a nurseryman who started out planting trees in western New York and Pennsylvania.
• During the life of John Chapman, the "West" was places like Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois.
• John Chapman was a deeply religious person He was known to preach during his travels.
• According to legend, Johny Appleseed led a simple life and wanted little. He rarely accepted money and often donated any money he received.
• It is believed that he died on March 11, 1845, from what was referred to as the "winter plague". The actual date of his death has been disputed.

Enjoy the apple today and all the tomorrows to come. After all, 

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away!"

Don't forget March is...National Nutrition Month (among other things)! What could possibly be more nutritious than the apple!

Recipe of the Day:  Spiced Apple Pie Cupcakes

  Yum, yum, yummy!