As summer arrives, so does the short but rewarding cherry-picking season. If you haven’t tried it, you need to experience plucking a perfectly ripe cherry straight from its branch.
Vermont's cherry season transforms our orchards into vibrant destinations for families, food enthusiasts, and anyone looking to experience sustainable farming firsthand. This is more than just picking cherries, it’s a community-building, nature-surfing, recreational event that everyone needs to try.
Timing matters a lot for cherry picking. Come too early, and you'll find hard, sour fruit. Arrive too late, and the best cherries will be gone. So, here’s a guide for the fruit enthusiasts out there for the best time to go cherry picking.
When is The Cherry Season?
Before you go season-hunting, there are 3 questions that you need to answer; What region do you stay in? What’s the weather like? and what type of cherry are you looking to pick?
In Vermont, sweet cherry picking typically runs from late June through mid-July, a nice time to also go raspberry picking. This also depends on the weather conditions (Warm springs tend to bring them earlier). This brief window provides the cherry goodness that you see in your stores. However, the difference is that those cherries at stores have spent some days behind stored, transported, and then arranged for sale.
At Champlain Orchards, our sweet cherry varieties usually reach perfect ripeness around the first week of July. A good time to bring your family to come do some cherry picking. And if you miss out on that, you can purchase all the fresh harvest in our farm market.
Sour (or tart) cherries ripen a bit later, with their peak season typically around mid-July. These are the perfect ingredients for making distinct tangy pies and preserves.
Regional Variations Across the U.S.
While we focus on Vermont's cherry season, harvest times vary significantly across the country:
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Pacific Northwest: Late June through early August
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Michigan: Late June through July
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Northeast (including Vermont): Late June through mid-July
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California: May through June
Adjust your expectations if planning a cherry picking trip outside Vermont!
How to Know When Cherries Are Ready for Picking
Remember the factors that affect the Cherry season. This means that you could go at the appropriate time and not everything is ready. So, what do you look out for? Here are some signs that the cherry has reached its peak:
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Color: Sweet cherries should be deep red to nearly black (depending on variety), while tart cherries display a bright, vibrant red.
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Firmness: Ripe cherries have a firmness to them, they shouldn’t be soft and mushy.
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Taste: The ultimate test! Ripe cherries have balanced sweetness and acidity.
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Stems: Green, flexible stems indicate freshness.
We update our website with pick-your-own fruit schedules to let you know when it’s go-time for cherry picking. Stay updated by checking our website and social media pages.
Cherry Picking with Sustainable Farming
Sustainable farming practices form the foundation of our work at Champlain Orchards. When you participate in cherry picking here, you support an eco-conscious approach to agriculture that prioritizes:
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Reduced food miles: Locally picked fruit travels minimal distances, cutting carbon emissions
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Minimal packaging: Bring your own containers or use our compostable options
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Integrated pest management: We use natural predators and targeted approaches instead of broad-spectrum pesticides
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Water conservation: Our drip irrigation systems minimize water usage
You can also perform sustainable practices during the picking process by only picking the ripe fruits (using the criteria explained above). This helps reduce any potential food waste. This selection process can only be done with hand-picking.
Health Benefits of Cherry Picking
If you needed more reason to go cherry picking, how about the direct benefits the fruit offers, such as:
Physical Benefits
Generally, fruit picking keeps you active. Walking through the local farm, stretching up to pluck the fruits, lifting the basket of your rewards. This provides moderate exercise for any age group. And it is more attractive than working out.
Nutritional Rewards
The cherries themselves contain impressive nutritional benefits when they are taken. Some of these are:
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Rich in antioxidants including anthocyanins
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Good source of vitamin C
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Contains melatonin, which may improve sleep quality
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Provide anti-inflammatory compounds
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Offer potassium and other essential minerals
These nutritional benefits further show why cherry picking is essential. Many of these benefits are at their peak when the cherry is ripe. That means a freshly picked cherry will deliver all of this, unlike a store-bought one that was probably picked before peak ripeness.
Mental Wellbeing
Time outdoors engaging in purposeful activities like fruit picking has connections to reducing stress levels, improving mood, and enhancing cognitive function. It’s a refreshing experience which some customers have described as similar to going to a spa.
How to Prepare for Your Cherry-Picking Adventure
Ready for cherry picking firsthand? Here's what to know before visiting Champlain Orchards or any fruit picking destination:
What to Bring
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Containers: Most orchards provide containers, but bringing your own helps the environment
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Sun protection: Hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses
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Water: Staying hydrated matters when picking in the summer heat
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Cash: Some smaller orchards may not accept credit cards
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Camera: Cherry orchards create beautiful photo opportunities
What to Wear
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Comfortable shoes: You'll stand and walk on uneven terrain
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Light, breathable clothing: Cherry season coincides with summer heat
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Clothes you don't mind getting stained: Cherry juice leaves persistent marks
Cherry Picking Etiquette
Good picker etiquette ensures everyone enjoys the experience:
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Pick only from designated areas
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Don't shake branches or damage trees
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Take only what you need (and can process before cherries spoil)
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Supervise children closely
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Pay for all fruit before consuming (though sampling is often permitted)
Making the Most of Your Cherry Harvest
After a day of cherry picking, you'll want to preserve freshness and flavor. Consider these storage tips:
Storage Tips
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Refrigerate unwashed cherries promptly
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Store in shallow containers to prevent crushing
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Remove damaged cherries, which can cause others to spoil
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Fresh cherries typically last 4-7 days in the refrigerator
Finding Cherry Picking Near Me: Why Choose Champlain Orchards?
When searching for "cherry picking near me" or "fruit picking near me" in Vermont, Champlain Orchards stands out for several reasons:
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Diverse cherry varieties: We grow multiple sweet (Emperor Francis, Hartland, Hedelfingen) and tart (Balaton, Montmorency) cherry varieties, extending the picking season
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Organic practices: Our commitment to sustainable farming means fruit grown with environmental stewardship
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Family-friendly amenities: Clean restrooms, picnic areas, and knowledgeable staff
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Spectacular views: Our orchards overlook Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains, as well as many nearby local attractions for a nice time.
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Farm store: Purchase other local products and treats to complement your cherry harvest
Plan Your Cherry Picking Visit to Champlain Orchards
The cherry-picking season approaches quickly and passes just as fast. To ensure you don't miss out, check our website for all relevant information, and follow on all social media pages. If you are ready for the full nature lowdown, book an experience with Orchards today!
Residents of Shoreham, Vermont and its environs enjoy a genuine connection with nature while practicing sustainable farming practices.
Other Fruit Picking Opportunities at Champlain Orchards
Cherry season may be brief, but fruit picking continues throughout the growing season. At Champlain Orchards, we offer a progression of picking experiences:
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June: Strawberries and early cherries
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July: Cherries, raspberries, and currants
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August-September: Peaches, plums, and early apples
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September-October: Apples and pears
Many visitors return for different fruit-picking opportunities, with families creating yearly traditions around these harvests. However, for your cherry goodness, mark your calendars, set your baskets, and prepare for the sweetest experience at Vermont’s best destination for sustainable fruit picking and agricultural connection.