Cherry picking is a fond memory I have of time well spent with my grandparents. My grandpa loved sharing a massive bowl of fresh pick your own cherries. He was the one who taught me to spit the seeds in the garden haha! Make some memories of your own this summer when you and the whole family go cherry picking near me in the Niagara, Hamilton and Halton regions. We really do grow the best cherries out this way!
More Fruit Picking Places For You
June is strawberry season in Ontario! Find local farms in Niagara, Hamilton and Halton here.
Fall is for apple picking and we know the best farms that offer pick-your-own apples in all varieties.
Fresh flowers are so romantic! Find PYO Lavender and fresh flowers to kick off your spring and summer decor and sunflowers for the fall.
Cherry Picking in Niagara Region
Cherry picking in Southern Ontario’s Niagara Region is a popular summer activity, offering families a chance to enjoy the outdoors and pick fresh, delicious cherries. Here are some key details and tips for a successful cherry picking trip:
When to Go Cherry Picking
- Season: Cherry picking season in the Niagara Region typically runs from late June to early July. The exact timing can vary depending on the weather and growing conditions, so it’s always a good idea to check with local farms for the most accurate dates.
Types of Cherries
- Sweet Cherries: These are the most common type found in the Niagara Region. They are usually available from late June to early July.
- Sour (Tart) Cherries: These are typically available a bit later than sweet cherries, often in early to mid-July. Sour cherries are great for baking and preserves.
What to Bring
- Containers: Many farms provide containers for picking, but it’s a good idea to bring your own sturdy containers or baskets, especially if you plan to pick a lot.
- Sun Protection: The sun can be strong, so bring hats, sunscreen, and sunglasses to protect yourself.
- Comfortable Clothing: Wear comfortable, lightweight clothing and closed-toe shoes suitable for walking and standing.
- Water and Snacks: Bring plenty of water to stay hydrated and snacks to keep everyone energized.
- Bug Spray: Depending on the time of day and location, bugs can be an issue, so it’s wise to have some bug spray on hand.
- Cash: Some farms may not accept credit or debit cards, so bring cash just in case.
Tips for Cherry Picking
- Check Farm Policies: Each farm may have different rules and hours of operation, so check their websites or call ahead.
- Arrive Early: The best cherries are often picked early in the day, so try to arrive early to get the best selection.
- Pick Carefully: Handle cherries gently to avoid bruising them. Twist the cherries off the stems to avoid damaging the trees.
- Sample Before Picking: Some farms allow you to taste a cherry or two before you start picking. This helps ensure you’re happy with the flavor and quality.
- Storage: Cherries are best picked fresh and eaten soon after, but if you need to store them, keep them in a cool place and wash them just before eating.
Recommended Farms in the Niagara Region
- Cherry Avenue Farms: Known for their large, sweet cherries, and they offer a great family-friendly experience.
- Parkway Orchards: Offers a variety of cherries and other fruits, and has a beautiful setting for a family outing.
- 20 Valley Harvest Farm: Offers a variety of cherries for picking along with other seasonal fruits and local products in their farm shop.
Before heading out, it’s always best to check the latest information on the farm’s website or give them a call to confirm the picking schedule and any special requirements or events they might have.
Enjoy your cherry picking adventure in the Niagara Region!
Where To Pick Cherries Near You
We’ve curated great local farms that offer pick-your-own cherries and included as many details as we could find on their websites and social pages. As with all farming, cherry picking is very reliant on ideal weather conditions. To avoid disappointment, give the farm a call before you head out to make sure their harvest is ready for you. We’ve included phone numbers and website for all of the farms.
Puddicombe Estate Farms
Pick Your Own (PYO) sweet cherries are a highlight of many families who visit Puddicombe Estate Farm. Experience how delicious local Ontario fruit can be, especially when you pick it yourself! They offer sweet cherries in July and tart cherries in July-August.
Address: 1468 Highway 8, Winona (Hamilton), Ontario
Phone: (905) 643-1015
Hildreth Farms
Hildreth Farms offers pick your own cherries at the very end of June and into July. They also have a farmer’s market stocked full of delicious, homemade goodies likes jams, pies and sauces.
Address: 5529 Greenlane, Beamsville, Ontario
Phone: (905) 563-4423
20 Valley Harvest Farms
At 20 Valley Harvest Farms, the sweet cherries on Canada Day weekend will be red (like the Canadian flag) and look beautiful! They will need more time on the tree to develop a deeper colour. Sour cherries will be ripe around early to mid-July. It’s a short season, so you don’t want to miss it! Sweet cherries can be on the trees from 1-3 weeks and sour cherries from 2-4 weeks depending on weather.
Address: 4235 Fifteenth Street, Jordan Station, Ontario
Phone: (905) 562-5272
Parkway Orchard Cherry Picking
Cherry picking at Parkway Orchard will be fully open from June 15th for Cherry picking. Please note that the farm might be closed due to weather or low inventory at any time during the day, so it is best to check the ‘pick-your-own’ section on the website or give them a call before you visit.
Address: 15000 Niagara River Pkwy, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Phone: (905) 262-5097
Mathias Farm
Mathias Farms is a third generation family run fruit farm in the heart of the Niagara Region offering pick-your-own cherries and other seasonal fruit, and a fruit stand. Predicted opening date for sweet cherries in spring 2025 is June 24th. Be sure to check their social media page for the most up-to-date crop information.
Address: 1909 Effingham Street, Ridgeville, Ontario
Phone: (905) 892-6166
Cherry Avenue Farm
A Spring 2025 update from Cherry Avenue Farm: “Our first crop of the year will be sweet cherries, and due to the cold weather this spring we expect a later start date this year. We do not know exactly when the cherries will be ripe enough to start picking, but we expect it will be some time late in the first week of July, or early in the second week. We will update our picking info in a few weeks… Please check back with us then!”
Address: 4303 Cherry Avenue, Vineland, Ontario
Phone: (905) 562-5481
Sun Valley Farms
Sun Valley Farms’ cherry trees are all easy to pick, grown on a full-dwarf root stock. The cherry season is known for being very short – only a couple of weeks from late June to mid July – and can often be reduced by weather conditions. Expected opening date for spring 2025 is July 1st.
Address: 1186 Highway 8, Winona (Hamilton), Ontario
Phone: (289) 698-3856
Bridgmans’ Farm
Visit Bridgman’s for sweet and tart cherries in July and come back for peaches, apples and more! They charge by the basket and will supply 7 litre, 4 litre and 3 litre baskets, which are included in the price. You can bring your own baskets of these sizes and receive a small credit. Payment is by cash or debit.
Address: 20 Bridgman Lane, Winona, Ontario
Phone: (905) 643-1506
Read More: Find more Pick-Your-Own farms with the most delicious local Ontario produce here.
Hot Off The Presses!
Catch up on what we’ve been covering! Here are our latest reads, hot off the presses just for you. Never miss an article when you subscribe to our weekly newsletter filled with kid-friendly fun and events.
