It’s Cherry Picking Season! Here’s Where to Pick Cherries Nearby

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!

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little girls cherry picking from a small cherry tree

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.
  • Peach Country Farm Market: A well-known farm that offers cherry picking along with other seasonal fruits and activities.

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!

little girl with a basket of pick your own cherries standing in the orchard

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 Estates Farm. Experience how delicious local Ontario fruit can be, especially when you pick it yourself! They office sweet cherries in July and tart cherries in July-August.

Address: 1468 #8 Highway, Winona (Hamilton).

Phone:

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 and pies and sauces.

Address: 5529 Greenlane, Beamsville

Phone: (905) 563-4423

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 farm might be close due to weather or inventory at anytime during the day. Please do check the time or give us a call before your come.

2024 Pick your own price: Ticket entry: $7 Cherry at CAD $7.50 per pound at check out. No minimum purchase

Address: 15000 Niagara River Pkwy, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

Phone: (905) 262-5097

Pick-Your-Own Cherries at Mathias Farm

Mathias Farms is a third generation family run fruit farm in the heart of the Niagara Region.

Address: 1909 Effingham Street, Ridgeville Ontario

Cherry Avenue Farm

An update from Cherry Avenue Farm: “We expect to start our first crop of the year – sweet cherries – around the beginning of July. We do not know the exact start date, as that depends on the weather over the next few weeks. We will start picking sweet cherries as soon as they are ripe enough, so please check back with us in late-June when we will have a better idea of how everything is ripening up”

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.

Address: 1186 Highway 8, Winona, Ontario

Phone: 289-933-2306

Bridgmans’ Farm

Visit Bridgman’s for sweet and tart cherries in July and come back for peaches, apples and more! We 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 and debit.

Address: 20 Bridgman Lane, Winona ON

Phone: (905) 643-1506

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