2024 Northeastern Washington State Cherry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Cherry U-Pick Orchards in Northeastern Washington State in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for cherries that we know of in this area. Not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have cherries orchards that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!

PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

Spokane County

• Abundance Farm - blueberries, cherries,
  17611 N Sands Rd, Greenbluff, WA 99021. Phone: 509-999-8023. Email: greenbluffabundance@gmail.com. Open: Please call or check our website for days and times that our harvest is available for picking. Directions: For a map to our farm, . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Abundance Farm Facebook page. . . Cherries should be ready in late June this year! Blueberries are looking great and should be available for harvest in mid-July. (ADDED: May 26, 2016)
• Beck's Harvest House and Orchard - U-Pick raspberries, cherries, peaches, pears, apricots, rhubarb and apples, Farm Market, Restaurant & Bakery.
  9919 E Greenbluff Road, Colbert, WA 99005. Phone: 509-238-6970. Email: info@greenblufffarms.com. Open: daily, see their website or call for current hours and crop availability. Directions: See their website or call for directions.We grow over 100 Varieties of Fruit for U-PICK or picked! Green Bluff\'s Market for Klicker Strawberries. Wines, Gifts, Gourmet Foods, Cider, Festivals & Special Events. Home of .. \FRIENDLY FAMILY FARM FUN\"!!! Are you looking for something fun for the entire family? Picking your own fruit is a wonderful activity that everyone can enjoy. Walking outdoors". Click here for a map and directions.
  Beck's Harvest House and Orchard Facebook page. breathing in the farm fresh air and taking in the sights and sounds of the farm is like a little vacation away from your regular routine. We offer U-Pick raspberries
• Bountiful Countryside Orchard - cherries, apricots, plums, pears, apples, pumpkins, gourds, picnic area
  17425 N. Sands Road, Mead, WA . Phone: (509) 238-4803. Open: call for current hours and crop availability. Directions: Call for directions. Cherries \(Bing, Rainier, Lambert, Pie\), apricots, plums \(Red, Italian\), pears \(Bartlett, Asian\), apples \(Translucent, Gala, Red and Golden Delicious, McIntosh, Jonathan, Macoun, Spartan, Winter Banana, Liberty\). Peaches were planted last year. White pumpkins and a variety of gourds are being added this year. Bring your lunch, family and friends and sit under an apple tree to watch the sunset. . Click here for a map and directions.
  Bountiful Countryside Orchard Facebook page. . Cherries (Bing, Rainier, Lambert, Pie), apricots, plums (Red, Italian), pears (Bartlett, Asian), apples (Translucent, Gala, Red and Golden Delicious, McIntosh, Jonathan, Macoun, Spartan, Winter Banana, Liberty). Peaches were planted last year. White pumpkins and a variety of gourds are being added this year. Bring your lunch, family and friends and sit under an apple tree to watch the sunset. formerly Sundown Brown's Place.
• Cherry Hill - cherries, peaches, raspberries (red), gift shop, porta-potties are available, farm animals
  18207 North Sands Road, Mead, WA 99021. Phone: (509) 238-1987. Email: ronda@cherryhillwa.com. Open: Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check.
  Cherry Hill Facebook page. . Alternate Phone: (509)238-1978. . U-Pick or Picked cherries, Come and enjoy our beautiful view of Mt. Spokane and pick Cherries (Bing, Rainier and Pie). Trees pruned low for EZ picking. Orchard & Market offers a fun adventure for the whole family. With fresh cherries, raspberries, peaches and plums on our beautiful farm, you can pick your own fruit for jam, pies, cobbler, canning, or just for eating. U-Pick fruit means you get to head out into the orchard and pick what you want. Prices and picking times vary.
• Green Bluff Gardens - Picked and U-Pick cherries
  9510 East Green Bluff Road, Colbert, WA 99005. Phone: (509) 238-5196. Open: call for current hours and crop availability. Click here for a map and directions. . Featuring, as the fruit ripens, Raspberries, cherries, Bing, Lambert & Pie Cherries. Awesome Peaches! Just Right! apricots, Nectarines, Plums, 13 varieties of apples. Huge pumpkin Patch.
• Green Bluff High Country Orchard - U-Pick and picked Cherries, Peaches, Raspberries, Apples, Apricots and Pears, Weddings
  8518 E. Green Bluff Road, Colbert, WA 99005. Phone: (509) 238-9545. Open: see their website or call for current hours and crop availability. Directions: See their website or call for directions. The Big Red Barn with Country Charm. Joe and JoAnne Smatlan welcome you to their orchard and country store - gifts, antiques and decor U-pick and prepicked local produce. Enjoy unique gourmet lunches, fresh baked piespastries, ice cream and espresso treats. Bring a group for a special farm experience - company, family or church celebrations. . Click here for a map and directions.
  Green Bluff High Country Orchard Facebook page. . See their website or call for directions. The Big Red Barn with Country Charm. Joe and JoAnne Smatlan welcome you to their orchard and country store - gifts, antiques and decor U-pick and prepicked local produce. Enjoy unique gourmet lunches, fresh baked pies/pastries, ice cream and espresso treats. Bring a group for a special farm experience - company, family or church celebrations.
• Hansen's Green Bluff Orchard LLC - Uses integrated pest management practices, apples, cherries, currants (red and black), flowers, grapes, peaches, plums, raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), rhubarb, summer squash, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), gift shop, restrooms, picnic area
  8215 East Green Bluff Road, Colbert, WA 99005. Phone: 509-238-4902. Email: hansenrtkd@aol.com. Open: daily 9am to 5pm as fruit ripens, starting in July; Call or check website for closures. Directions: We\'re located on the historic west side of Green Bluff, north of Spokane WA. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard. . We're located on the historic west side of Green Bluff, north of Spokane WA. Cherries in July, peaches in August, apples and cider throughout September and October; Choose your own Christmas Trees day after Thanksgiving. We use integrated pest management practices.
• Hidden Acres Orchards - U-Pick and picked raspberries, Cherries, Peaches, blackberries, Cots, Prunes, apples (many varieties), Jams, apple butter, take and bake pies, Gift Packs, Gift Shop, Educational Tours, Pumpkin Patch. Festival Fun includes: Hayrides, Corn Maze, picnic area
  16802 N. Applewood Lane, Mead, WA 99021. Phone: (509) 238-2830. Email: hiddenacreswa@msn.com. Open: see their website or call for current hours and crop availability. Click here for a map and directions. . See their website or call for directions. Penelope pumpkin, Lunch, Live Music, Tepee, Cabin, Photo Opts galore. Covered picnic tables. Ample Parking. In the Spring, Summer, and Fall months we happily offer U-Pick and Picked - (call for picking times and seasons) Asparagus Morel Mushrooms Rhubarb Raspberries Cherries Peaches Blackberries Blueberries Apricots Plums Pears Apples (23 varieties) Pumpkins Winter Squash Vegetable Assortment. - We also offer Free range, organically fed Duck, Chicken, and Turkey eggs. Local un-pasteurized honey in our Jam Shop. A petting zoo stocked with friendly farm animals! Come check out Green Bluff's only farm run on Bio-Diesel.
• High Country Orchard - peaches, apricots, cherries, plums
  8518 E Greenbluff Rd, Colbert, WA 99005. Phone: (509) 238-9545. Email: highcountryorchard@gmail.com. Open: Cherry Picking Hours: 8-6 Daily, 10-6 Sundays; and the Farm store is daily from March 31 - December 23rd; Hours change during the year. Click here for a map and directions. . . Please note we sometimes close a half hour early if weather is bad or there are no customers for a long time. Wedding venue questions, call (509) 496-9209. Cherry Festival is July 3-23 , 2019 - Bing, Rainier and Pie tree-ripened cherries will be available for U-Pick on festival days and throughout the week while the fruit is ripe. Peach Festival - July 20 through Labor Day. Peach ice-cream,cakes, or pies - no matter how you slice them, our peaches are delicious. Plus lots of other great food, live music on weekends, and family entertainment! We have great U-Pick peaches but orchard is only open for U-Pick on days that the peaches are ripe. However, we always have great varieties of pre-picked at the front of the store. Come sample and pick your favorite! Buy by the box or the pound! Also other farm fresh produce like nectarines, beets, kale, cabbage, etc. (ADDED: July 10, 2019, JBS)
• Mrs. Kalin's Barn - U-Pick Cherries and raspberries, picnic area
  17911 N. Day Mt. Spokane Road, Mead, WA 99021. Phone: (509) 238-9469. Open: call for current hours and crop availability. Click here for a map and directions. Unpack your picnic basket. Relax and enjoy a day in the country. U-Pick Cherries (Bing, Lambert, Black Jade, and Pie) and U-Pick Raspberries (Autumn Bliss). Walk the Green Bluff trail. Run through a straw obstacle course. Slide Mega Mountain. Shop for fine gifts, home decor, jeans, and purses. Celebrate special occasions, weddings, birthdays, or company picnics.
• Pit Stop Orchard - Pick Your Own or Picked cherries, apples, plums, Farm Animals
  8903 E. Green Bluff Road, Colbert, WA 99005. Phone: (509) 238-9422. Open: UPDATE for 2020; Their website is gone; Does anyone have current information, are they still offering pick your own or are even open? If so, please write me, their last reported hours were call for current hours and crop availability. Click here for a map and directions. Cherry varieties: Rainier, Bing, Van, Lambert, Pie; apple varieties:(Empire, Gravenstein, Spartan, Golden, Red, Winesap, Honeycrisp, plus many more). Prunes, Plums, Vegetables, Jams, Honey, Apple Butter, Fresh Eggs. Doc and Sons Cider, our family exclusive blend! Friendly Folks and Family Values!
• Robel Orchard - apples, apricots, blueberries, cherries, nectarines, peaches, U-pick and already picked
  19405 North Sands Road, Colbert, WA 99005. Phone: 509-238-1911. Email: robelorchard@gmail.com. Open: UPDATE for 2020; Their website is gone; Does anyone have current information, are they still offering pick your own or are even open? If so, please write me. Directions: . Payment: Cash, Check. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. .
• Roening's On Green Bluff - cherries, peaches
  17715 & 18102 N. Day Mt. Spokane Road, Mead, WA 99021. Phone: (509) 238-1258. Email: rroening@aol.com. Open: call for current hours and crop availability. Click here for a map and directions. . Home of Green Bluff Greenhouse & Nursery and the family orchard. Cherries (Bing, Pie, Lambert, Royal Ann, Vans and Rainier). Pruned low for easy picking. Peaches picked to order (Early Red Haven, Red Haven & Red Globe). Special Event Planning for all group sizes.
• Siemers Farm, LLC - U-pick Strawberries, Cherries & Peaches,
  11125 E. Day-Mt. Spokane Road, Mead, WA 99021. Phone: (509) 238-6242. Open: see their website or call for current hours and crop availability. Directions: .Located on the Northeast corner of Green Bluff; See their website or call for directions. Venue for special events: Weddings, Family & Company Picnics, Birthday Parties, etc. Fall Harvest Apple Festival with Train & Wagon Rides, Giant Slide, Pirate Ship, Safari Animals, Games in the CornShrub Maze, Talking-Chicken & Castle. 50 venders: Sidewok Cafe Foods, Live Music, Arts & Crafts, Indian Corn, Squash, Straw, Cornstalks, Gourds, Apples & many varieties and colors of Pumpkins. Cider, Honey, Jam & Gift Items. EZ Parking. A fabulous view of Mt. Spokane and is surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges to the North and East. We have FREE Picnic areas, FREE Parking, and the Fort Siemers Playhouse is always . Click here for a map and directions. . .Located on the Northeast corner of Green Bluff; See their website or call for directions. Venue for special events: Weddings, Family & Company Picnics, Birthday Parties, etc. Fall Harvest Apple Festival with Train & Wagon Rides, Giant Slide, Pirate Ship, Safari Animals, Games in the Corn/Shrub Maze, Talking-Chicken & Castle. 50 venders: Sidewok Cafe Foods, Live Music, Arts & Crafts, Indian Corn, Squash, Straw, Cornstalks, Gourds, Apples & many varieties and colors of Pumpkins. Cider, Honey, Jam & Gift Items. EZ Parking. A fabulous view of Mt. Spokane and is surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges to the North and East. We have FREE Picnic areas, FREE Parking, and the Fort Siemers Playhouse is always open. We also have reasonably priced snack food and beverages in the well stocked Affordable Gift Shop and an ATM when we are open for business. FREE Wagon Rides are available during fruit picking seasons and on all Saturdays and Sundays during the Apple Festival.
• Smith's Hilltop Orchard U-Pick - cherries, peaches, nectarines, plums, apples
  9423 E. Green Bluff Road, Colbert, WA 99005. Phone: (509) 238-4647. Open: call for current hours and crop availability. Directions: Call for directions. Cherries \(Bing, Rainier, Chelan, Lambert\); Peaches \(Red Haven, Daroga Red, Glohaven & Flamin\' Fury\). Nectarines and PlumsPrunes. Apples \(Honeycrisp, Early Gold and Jonagold and more\). All U-Pick. STRAWBERRIES U-pick or Picked. Plus fresh harvested Potatoes, Tomatoes, Pumpkins, Vegetables, Squash and Gourds. . Click here for a map and directions.
  Smith's Hilltop Orchard U-Pick Facebook page. . Cherries (Bing, Rainier, Chelan, Lambert); Peaches (Red Haven, Daroga Red, Glohaven & Flamin' Fury). Nectarines and Plums/Prunes. Apples (Honeycrisp, Early Gold and Jonagold and more). All U-Pick. STRAWBERRIES U-pick or Picked. Plus fresh harvested Potatoes, Tomatoes, Pumpkins, Vegetables, Squash and Gourds.
• The Cherry Shack - U-Pick and Picked cherries, apricots, apples, pears, picnic tables
  8709 E. Green Bluff Road, Colbert, WA 99005. Phone: (509) 238-9183. Open: call for current hours and crop availability. Click here for a map and directions. Varieties: cherries (Bing, Rainier, Lambert, Pie); apricots (Tilton and Perfection); apples (18 plus varieties from early to late season); pears (Bartlett and d'Anjou). Garden fresh vegetables, fresh pressed cider, local honey, jams, home-baked goods, stoneware and wheel thrown pottery. Come browse our little Red Orchard Store! Picnic tables for your enjoyment.
• Wellen's Luscious Fruit and Antiques - U-Pick and Picked cherries, apricots, apples, peaches, plums
  16420 N. Sands Road, Mead, WA 99021. Phone: (509) 238-6978. Open: call for current hours and crop availability. Click here for a map and directions. . Cherries: Bing, Lambert, Van and Pie. Four varieties of apricots, Early Apples, early slicing and canning peaches, Plums, Prunes and 15 varieties of apples. We grow all we sell!
• Yaryan's Orchard - U-pick or picked cherries, apricots, peaches, apples, nectarines, plums and Honey.
  10229 E. Day-Mt. Spokane Road, Mead, WA 99021. Phone: (509) 238-6261. Open: call for current hours and crop availability. Click here for a map and directions. . 1/2 mile east of Green Bluff store. U-pick or picked to order fruit cherries, apricots, peaches for slicing or for canning (Early & Late Red Haven, Daroga Red, Rosa, Red Globe, Canadian Harmony). We offer a large variety of apples (Early Gold, Gala, Macintosh, Jonathan, Red & Golden Delicious, Johnagold, Honey Crisp, Cameo, Fugi, etc.)

 

Cherry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

If you are about to pick cherries either directly from a tree, or from a local orchard or market, here's what you need to know to pick the best cherries.

Cherries are a fairly early crop, flowering soon after the last frosts in April and May, setting fruit in June, usually at the same time as strawberries in most areas (but check your area's harvest calendar and call the farm or orchard you are planning to go to a few weeks ahead).

Types of Cherries

There are two types of cherries: sweet cherries and sour cherries (also called tart or pie cherries). The difference is simple: sweet cherries taste sweeter and are eaten fresh. Pie cherries are very tart and most people prefer to use them in pies, jams, preserves, jellies and butters, adding sugar to sweeten them. See further down this page for a list of common cherry varieties and their uses. Washington State, California and Oregon are the primary sweet cherry growing states; they produce almost 90 percent the U.S.'s cherry crop. Michigan produces about 74 percent of tart cherry production. We have a master table of cherry varieties, sweet and sour (pie) in the order in which they ripen.

Cherry picking tips

• Pick ripe: Cherries, like peaches, continue to increase in size until they are ripe. They should be picked when they are of maximum size and full-flavored.
• But not under-ripe: Cherries picked before they are fully mature will not ripen off the tree.
• And not over-ripe: when they become soft, mushy or discolored.
• Pie or sweet: There are 2 main types of cherries: sweet cherries that taste sweet and tart when you eat them fresh, and sour (also called pie cherries) which are too tart for most people to want to eat fresh.
• For all varieties of sweet cherries, the darker the cherry is the sweeter it will be. If you like more sour cherries the lighter red and less ripe, the more tart it will be.
• Stem separation: Sweet cherries become firm when ripe (the stems usually stay attached when you pick a sweet cherry), and sour cherries part easily from the stem.
• Leave the stems on sweet cherries: Cherries that are to be shipped will keep longer if the stems are left attached. They will store in the refrigerator for two to three days.
• Appearance: Look for heavy, firm cherries with a shiny skin and fresh stem.
• But for immediate use, they can be picked with or without the stems.

How to pick the cherries from the tree

1. Gently grasp the berry with your fingers and thumb, and
2. tug gently.
3. If it is ripe, it will easily come off in your hand, with the stem attached.
4. Repeat these operations using both hands until each holds 3 or 4 cherries.
5. Carefully place - don't throw - the fruit into your containers. Repeat the picking process with both hands.
6. Don't overfill your containers or try to pack the cherries down.

General Picking Tips

Whether you pick Cherries from your own trees, a market or at a Pick-Your-Own farm, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1.  Part the leaves with your hands to look for hidden cherries ready for harvest.
2. Avoid placing the picked cherries in the sunshine any longer than necessary. It is better to put them in the shade of a tree or shed than in the car trunk or on the car seat.
3. Cool them as soon as possible after picking. Cherries may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for two or three days, depending upon the initial quality of the berry.

Before you leave to go to the farm:

1. Always call before you go to the farm - Cherries are affected by weather (especially rain and cooler temperatures) more than most crops. And when they are in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL first! Always call before you go to the farm - Cherries are affected by weather (especially rain and cooler temperatures) more than most crops. And when they are in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL first!
2. Leave early. On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
3. Most growers furnish picking containers designed for Cherries, but they may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to bring containers.
   If you use your own containers, remember that heaping Cherries more than 3 inches deep will smush the lower cherries. Plastic dishpans, metal oven pans with 3 inch tall sides and large pots make good containers. I like the Glad storage containers like the one at right.
4. Bring something to drink and a few snacks; you'd be surprised how you can work up a thirst and appetite! And don't forget hats and sunscreen for the sun. Bugs usually aren't a problem, but some deet might be good to bring along if it has been rainy.

When you get home

1. DON'T wash the cherries until you are ready to use them. Washing makes them more prone to spoiling.
2. Cherries are more perishable than blueberries or strawberries, so make a point of refrigerating them as immediately as possible after purchase. Temperatures between 34 F and 38 F are best, but, be careful not to freeze cherries! (Fresh cherries are highly prone to freeze damage).
3. Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting cherries
4. Even under ideal conditions cherries will only keep for a few days in a refrigerator, so for best flavor and texture, consume or freeze them as soon as possible after purchase.
5. See my How to freeze berries page. (Unless you're going to make jam right away)
6. Now, get ready to make Cherry jam - It is VERY easy - especially with our free Cherry preserves instructions - illustrated and easy or cherry pie filling

Cherry Recipes, Canning, Jam, Jelly, and related resources

• Cherry preserves instructions - illustrated and easy
• Cherry jelly
• Cherry pie filling
• Cherry butter
• Cherry festivals
• Cherry pitters - reviews and where to get them
• How to pit cherries - several methods

Cherry varieties

For a master table of cherry varieties in the order in which they ripen, click here.

Sweet cherries:

• Bing cherries are deep red in color and sweet.
• Blackgold - very late mid-season. Good for eating fresh. Self-fertile.
• Brooks - a large, firm red cherry that tolerates hot climates. Sweet with both complex flavors and a sweet tart blackberry-like taste.
• Chelan - deep, mahogany red, heart-shaped, medium sized, sweet fruits, like Bing.  Sweet, between 16 and 18 % sugar.
• Coral Champagne - very large, red, super sweet fruit that is often preferred to Bing. Firm, but juicy flesh with a coral pink color center.
• Emperor Francis are White or Blush Sweet Cherries, Early season, perfect for canning, making jellies and jams, or making homemade maraschinos.
• Hartland, an early season dark cherry. A Windsor cross, it was developed in New York
• Hedelfingen is a later season sweet cherry. It has large, black fruit.
• Kristin cherries are a a mid-season cherry developed in New York.
• Lambert Cherry is a large, black, late harvest cherry of very good quality, compared to Bing.
• Lapins Cherry is a self-fruitful, large, dark red sweet cherry from Canada with firm, good flavor. Ripens a few days after Bing and needs only 400 chilling hours or less to produce fruit.
• Orondo Ruby - A ruby red color with some gold coloring, this is a sweeter, brighter variant of the Rainier cherry. Marcus Griggs of G&C farms found this in his Rainier cherry orchard. They have a brighter red color to them and a sweeter and a bit more acidic.
• Rainier cherries are golden yellow with a pink or red blush. Rainier cherries are large and sweet.
• Royalton cherries are large, dark cherry mid-season cherries
• Sam - early ripening, large, black sweet cherry. Ripens 11 days after Vista.
• Skeena cherries are a late ripening variety. They are dark red, firm and juicy.
• Somerset cherries are medium sized, later season cherries that are dark and firm.
• Sonata - Very large, black, and moderately sweet fruit. Self-fertile.
• Staccato cherries are a deep purple-red and also a late season variety. Staccato cherries are large and one of the sweetest varieties.
• Stella are a large, sweet, dark-red fruit that ripens in mid-season
• Sweetheart cherries are a large, bright red late-season variety, medium sweetness
• Sunburst - large, firm fruit. Old productive variety. Self-fertile.
• Symphony - bright red, medium-sweet very large fruit. Late season. Self-fertile.
• Tehranivee - mid-season cherry developed in Ontario, Canada. Cracking can be a problem. Self-fertile.
• Ulster - medium-sized, firm, dark cherry, Ripens about 2 days after Vista.
• Vandalay - Large, red fruit with an unusual kidney shape. From Canada. Self-fertile.
• Viscount - medium-large, firm, good, dark red cherries. Late season ripening.
• Vista - the cherries are very dark, almost black. Large excellent-quality fruit. Mid season, ripens around the last week in June.
• Viva - dark red, 3/4 inch fruit from Canada. Ripens around July 4.
• White Gold are a blush cherry of moderate to large size.

Pie, Sour or Tart Cherries (all different names for the same thing!)

• Balaton Ujfeherto Furtos is a Hungarian sour cherry with firm fruit that is suited to picking by hand and eating fresh. Red skin and flesh. Ripens about 7 to 10 days after Montmorency
• Danube Erdi Botermo has dark red fruit with a unique sweet-tart flavor. Delicious eaten fresh or in baked goods. Ripens about 1 week before Montmorency.
• Dark-juice-tarts has juice that is red rather than clear in color.
• Jubileum - new, from Hungary. Very large with a dark red flesh. Sweet for a tart cherry, not quite as tart as Montmorency.
• Meteor - Medium-sized fruit with an odd shaped pit. Ripen s3 to 7 days after Northstar.
• Montmorency, the most commonly grown, traditional cherry for pies, baking and canning. Ripens around the last week of June to the first week of July.
• Morello Sour Cherry is a late-ripening tart dark red to nearly black cherry used for cooking, and sometimes eaten fresh when fully ripe. Fruits in warm climates ( 500 hours or fewer chilling hours below 45 F) Self-fruitful. USDA
• Northstar - Medium-sized, dark red fruit.
• Surefire - A new late blooming variety from Cornell. Bright red, medium sized fruit.

Cherry Facts and Tips

• Cherries come in many colors besides red: there are also dark red (almost black), yellow, blush (mixed) and gold cherries.
• Cherries are a very healthy food; they are high Vitamin C and naturally have no fat, cholesterol or sodium. They are also a good source of ivitamin A, calcium, protein, and iron.
• Cherries are an antioxidant-rich foods.
•  One cup of cherries is less than 90 calories and 3 grams of fiber.
• One cup of cherries has 260 mg of potassium which plays a key role in muscle, heart, kidney, and nerve cell functions.
• Cherries are high in fiber. Half to one pound of cherry fruit per day can provide twenty to thirty grams of fiber which is adequate for an adult daily nutrition requirement.
• Do the math and be careful not to over-purchase as Cherries quickly mold when left at room temperature, and only last a couple of days in the refrigerator.
• You can easily freeze cherries that you cannot use right away - just wash, cut the hulls off and pop them into a ziplock bag, removing as much air as possible. Those vacuum food sealers REALLY do a good job of this! The cherries will keep for many months frozen without air. See my How to freeze berries page
• Anthocyanins in cherries are what give the fruit its red color and help protect the heart and surrounding tissues
• Some research has found eating cherries to reduce pain and inflammation associated with arthritis and gout

 

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)

• Farm markets and roadside stands
• Local Honey Finder
• Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
• Venues: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
• Easter egg hunts
• Children"s consignment sales
• Fruit and vegetable festivals
• Winery tours and wine tastings
• Horse rides, stables, lessons, trails
• Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
• Bed & Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
• Pumpkin patches
• Corn mazes
• Zombie Paintball venues
• Christmas Tree Farms & lots
• Environmental resources
• Consumer fraud information
• Wholesale food sources
• Resources for Farmers