Cherry Season is a short window usually beginning in early June and going to early July; however, the PYO window can be anywhere from 1-3 weeks depending on the crop. Watch the website!
Rules
- Do NOT throw the berries.
- Children must be monitored at all times.
- As with other fruit, sampling is OK, but gluttony is theft. We want you to know what you are picking, but please do not eat more than a few.
- Do not wander to other fields. Only pick the fruit that is advertised as being ripe.
- It is OK to sit a short while and enjoy our farm. But please understand that we are not a park, and need to cover our costs by selling food.
How to Pick the Best Berry!
When picking sweet (Bing type) cherries:
- Color: Choose cherries that are deep dark red or almost mahogany, as darker cherries are usually sweeter and riper.
- Firmness: Pick cherries that feel firm and plump, not soft or mushy.
- Stems: Cherries may last a little longer if picked with the stem. But it doesn’t make much difference.
- Skin: Avoid cherries with wrinkles, splits, or rot, and choose ones that are smooth and shiny.
- Size: Larger cherries are often sweeter and juicier because they had more time to mature on the tree.
When picking Montmorency (sour) cherries:
- Color: Pick cherries that are bright to deep red, since fully red fruit is ripe and ready to harvest.
- Firmness: Choose cherries that feel firm but still slightly tender, not hard or mushy.
- Stems: Many Montmorency cherries are harvested without stems, so focus more on fruit quality than the stem.
- Skin: Look for cherries with smooth, shiny skin and avoid any with splits, wrinkles, or bruises.
- Ease of Picking: A ripe Montmorency cherry will come off the tree easily with a gentle pull.
After Picking Care
- Keep Them Cool – Cherries should be cooled as soon as possible after picking, ideally placed in a refrigerator within a few hours to slow down spoilage.
- Don’t Wash Right Away – Only wash cherries right before eating or using them, because extra moisture during storage can cause them to spoil faster.
- Store in Refrigerator – Keep cherries in a breathable container or loosely covered bowl in the fridge, where they can stay fresh for about 5–7 days.
- Remove Damaged Fruit – Sort through your cherries and remove any soft, bruised, or moldy ones, since they can cause the rest to spoil more quickly.
- Keep Stems On (If Present) – If the cherries still have stems, leave them attached, as stems help the fruit stay fresh longer.
How to Freeze Your Cherries
- Sort the cherries, remove any soft, bruised, or damaged cherries so only the best fruit is frozen.
- Wash and dry them, rinse them under cool running water and spread them over a towel until they are completely dry.
- Remove the stems and pit, if you plan to use them for baking and cooking later.
- Pre-freeze on a tray, spread the cherries in a single layer on a baking sheet so they are not touching.
- Allow them to freeze until they are completely frozen, around 2-4 hours.
- Transfer them to a freezer bag or air tight container.
- Label and store them for up to 10-12 months!
