U-Pick Cherry Farms
The Traverse Bay Farms region is known as the “Cherry Capital of the World”. This area of Michigan grows over 70% of all of the tart cherry crop every year.
The countryside is dotted with cherry farms growing these tiny red orbs that are great for snacking and baking.
You’ll enjoy roaming the Northern Michigan roads during a lazy summer day experiencing all our great area has to offer. On this page, we’ve put together some great facts about U-Pick cherry farms in Michigan
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Michigan Cherry Picking Season
The Michigan cherry picking season usually starts in early June and lasts until mid-August. This is the time of year you’ll see the Michigan cherry orchards buzzing with activity. You’ll see the cherries being shaken from the trees using a machine that looks like an upside-down umbrella.
This unique machine takes hold of the trunk of the cherry tree, spreads its wings and as it shakes the tree, all of the cherries fall into canvas.
Check out our fresh cherry delivery service
Check out his video to see one in action:
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Cherry Picking Michigan
While there are dozens of family cherry farms dotted all around Northern Michigan, some don’t offer U-Pick Cherries. They reason is they are producing the cherries for the commercial use. This means the cherries grown on these types of cherry orchards only sell the final cherries to be made into cherry-based products. These products include:
So for these type of farms, you won’t be able to pick your own fruit. Also, when out enjoying the full cherry picking experience, always make sure you are picking the fruit from an orchard that offers U-Pick. Look for road signs that say U-Pick Cherries.
Also, most of the Northern Michigan cherry farms don’t have fences along the road separating the road from their orchards. Please keep in mind, even though you may see rows and cherry trees only a few feet from the road, don’t pull the car over and walk out into the cherry orchards and start picking.
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U-Pick Cherries Michigan
Spending quality time with family and friends, along with picking your own fruit, is what makes cherry picking in Michigan such a fun experience. However, while you’re out enjoying the fresh Michigan sunshine, here are a few items to consider:
- What the picking hours?
Cherry picking hours vary from orchard to orchard. However, most for from 9am – 5pm. Also, keep in mind if you arrive after picking hours, you may be able to purchase freshly picked fruit from the stand or store.
- What should I wear?
Wear comfortable clothing. Also, consider bringing a long-shelved shirt or summer jacket. The reason is you will be reaching through branches and leaves to pick the cherries. A long-shelved shirt will prevent the branches from scratching your arms.
- Can the whole family come?
Yes, the more the better. When you pick your own fruit, bring the kids, grand kids, parents, grandparents and, who knows, you could even make some great new friends while picking cherries in Michigan.
- Can I get the cherries pitted?
Most U-Pick cherry farms have a pitted. Check out these photos below:
- Can I bring pets?
Dogs and other pets aren’t usually allowed in the active areas of the orchard. This include the area where machinery, etc. are operating. Check with the cherry farm you are visiting about bringing pets on to the property.
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U-pick Sweet Cherries
U-Pick sweet cherries are available from early June to Mid July. This variety of cherry is picked before the Montmorency tart cherries. These are the large purplish cherries. The Montmorency tart cherries are the small, bright red cherries. These are the variety of cherry you usually find in the grocery stores. These are the most popular U-Pick cherries.
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Cherry Farm Michigan
The cherry farms in Michigan usually don’t charge to enter the orchard. You only pay for the fruit you pick. The fruit is weighted after you are done picking and the cherry farm charges per pound.
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Michigan Cherries for Sale
You can buy Michigan cherries not only at the orchard, but many farms have stands out front. So if you don’t want to wander around an orchard to pick your own fruit, make sure to grab some at the farm stand. This is usually near the front of the orchard near where you parked your car.
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Cherry Orchards in Michigan
We’ve compiled a list of many of the cherry farms in Northern Michigan for you to enjoy.
- Download this list of Northern Michigan Cherry Orchards.
- Learn what cherries are good for?
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Cherries and Traverse Bay Farms
We offer fresh fruit at both our of Northern Michigan Traverse Bay Farms stores. We offer the variety of fruit that is in season for you to enjoy. Also, feel free to give us a call at 1-877-746-7477, check our Facebook page, our website or stop in.
Elk Rapids – Located downtown Elk Rapids at 204 River Street. Our Elk Rapids store is open year-round and offers locally grown fresh fruit, including cherries, during the summer harvest. Also, this store is only a short walk from the Elk Rapids beach, Elk Rapids and more.
Also, both of our retail stores are know as Northern Michigan’s “Hollywood Hub”. We have a number of Hollywood celebrities with our products.
Bellaire – Located two miles south of the main Shanty Creek Resort entrance on M-88. We are just south of Pinebrook and just north of the Comfort Road. Our Bellaire store is also open year-round, too. However, this store only offers retail stores hours between 8:30am – 2:30pm Monday through Friday. If you traveling to Northern Michigan during the weekend, stop into our Elk Rapids store.
Our Bellaire store is located 15 minutes north of Traverse City, 60 minutes south of Petoskey. Our Bellaire store is located 45 east of Gaylord and Grayling, 20 minutes north of Kalkaska and 10 minutes west of Mancelona.