2024 Red Deer area of Alberta, Canada Cherry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Cherry U-Pick Orchards in Red Deer area of Alberta, Canada in 2024, by county

Below are the U-Pick orchards and farms for cherries that we know of in this area.

Not all areas of a province or region have cherries orchards that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

Remember to always check with the farm's own website or Facebook page before you go - or call or email them if they don't have a website or Facebook page. Conditions at the farms and crops can change literally overnight, so if you want to avoid a wasted trip out there - check with the farm directly before you go! If I cannot reach them, I DON'T GO!

PLEASE report closed farms, broken links and incorrect info using the "Report Corrections" form below.

Red Deer area of Alberta

• DNA Gardens - Saskatoon berries, Chokecherries
  Box 544, Elnora, AB T0M 0Y0. Phone: 403-773-2489. Email: arden@dnagardens.com. Click here for a map and directions. Fax: 403-773-2400 Nursery plants specializing in cold hardy fruit. Liners for nurseries and orchardists. Picked and cleaned Saskatoon and chokecherry fruit.
• Mountain View Berry Farm - cherries, raspberries (red), Saskatoons, concessions or refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area
  Between Olds And Didsbury, Olds, AB T4H 1T8. Phone: . Email: info@mountainviewberryfarm.com. Open: Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 7pm, August 1 to September 1. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
• Pearson's Berry Farm Ltd. - Saskatoon berries, Chokecherries
  RR 1, Bowden, AB T0M 0K0. Phone: 403-224-3011. Email: duane@pearsonsberryfarm.ca. Open: Season is May 1 to September 30. Directions: Located in the Red Deer River Valley, in the beautiful parkland of Alberta. Click here for a map and directions.
  Pearson's Berry Farm Ltd. Facebook page. Fax: 403-224-2096Pearsons Berry Farm facebook pageWe are . In 1969, we planted a few hundred Saskatoon bushes and became the first commercial native fruit grower in Canada specializing in Saskatoons and Chokecherries. In 1988, we started producing our own low sugar jams, jellies, pie fillings and pies. We also offer tours, have a picnic area and R.V. parking, a gift and craft store. Group luncheons and Sunday brunch are also available. Take credit cards and can deliver. Located 28 km west of Bowden on Hwy 587.
• Pinky's Organics - Uses natural growing practices, not yet certified, apples, haskaps, pears, red raspberries red, Yellow raspberries, Black raspberries, strawberries, asparagus, beans, beets, broccoli, pie or tart cherries, sweet corn, pickling cucumbers, slicing cucumbers, garlic, kale, lettuce or salad greens, onions, snap peas (edible pod), snow peas (flat edible pod), hot peppers, sweet peppers, Swiss chard, summer squash, winter squash, Heirloom tomatoes, paste or Roma tomatoes, tomatoes, watermelons, daffodils, lavender, Lillies, sunflowers, tulips, zinnias, flowers, Basil, Mint, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Fresh eggs
  26040 highway 595, Red Deer County, AB t4e0t8. Phone: (403) 347-7148. Email: pinkysflowerfarm@xplore.net. Open: daily 9 am to 5 pm starting in July through to October. Directions: 8KM east of Red Deer on highway 595. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
  Pinky's Organics Facebook page. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic (ADDED: April 17, 2024)
• Prairie Perfect Orchards - No pesticides are used, apples, cherries, haskaps, Other fruit or veg, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area
  Rural Road 3, Innisfail, AB T4G 1T8. Phone: 403-227-1301. Email: prairieorchards@gmail.com. Open: UPDATE for 2018, Their website is gone; Does anyone have current information, are they still offering pick your own or are even open? If so, please write me, their last reported hours were Wednesday to Monday, from 11 am to 5 pm; Closed on Tuesdays only. Directions: Take North Overpass through Innisfail and continue to Highway #54. At stop sign cross Highway #54 continue west on Little Red Deer Road - Twp Road 354 to Range Road 15. Watch for U-Pick Cherries and Prairie Perfect Orchards Sign on the right side. OR Take South Overpass at Innisfail west on Highway #54 to Little Red Deer Road - Twp Road #354 continue to Range Road 15. Watch for U-Pick Cherries and Prairie Perfect Orchards on the right side. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Cheque. officially open each year on June 15th; Honeyberries are available for picking mid to late June; Tart Cherries are available for picking first week of August; Apples are available for picking first of September. We do not use pesticides on the cropsWe invite you to stroll through our orchard and enjoy the fresh-off-the-tree fruit, experience the tastes, sights and sounds of country life. Pick fresh Saskatchewan Tart Cherries, Honeyberries, Apples or Rhubarb. Enjoy a guided tour of and it's beautiful landscaping or simply relax with a cup of tea, coffee or cool beverage, a homemade fruit tart and ice cream on our "Garden Patio" or eat your own picnic lunch under the shade trees.
• Red Barn Berries Central Alberta u-Pick - No pesticides are used apples, cherries, currants (red), currants (black), other berries, raspberries (red), rhubarb, Saskatoons, strawberries, Other fruit or veg, Fresh eggs, restrooms, farm animals
  28413 Township Road 392, Red Deer County, AB T4E 1C8. Phone: 403-550-8909. Email: redbarnberries@hotmail.com. Open: Typical season is from mid June through August; in season, Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 7 pm; Saturday and Sunday, from 9 am to 5 pm. Directions: Head west on Highway 11A from Red Deer Turn north on Range Road 10 \(At the Sylvan Star Cheese\) Continue past the railroad tracks a mile to Township Road 392 Turn East on Township 392 and look for the red barn the second entrance on the south side. Strawberries season typically Midlate June - Late August Saskatoons season Typically Midlate July to Late August Raspberries season typically Midlate June - Late August. We do not use pesticides on the . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: We accept all forms of payment - e-transfer, debit, credit and cash. . Phone: 403) 304-0440 Head west on Highway 11A from Red Deer Turn north on Range Road 10 (At the Sylvan Star Cheese) Continue past the railroad tracks a mile to Township Road 392 Turn East on Township 392 and look for the red barn the second entrance on the south side. Strawberries season typically Mid/late June - Late August Saskatoons season Typically Mid/late July to Late August Raspberries season typically Mid/late June - Late August. We do not use pesticides on the crops (UPDATED: May 18, 2023, JBS) (UPDATED: June 08, 2020) (ADDED: September 27, 2019)
• Red Lodge Upick - No pesticides are used, apples, cherries, raspberries (red), Saskatoons, strawberries, U-pick and already picked, restrooms, picnic area
  R.r#1 Site 7 Box 9, Bowden, AB T0M 0K0. Phone: 403-224-2425. Open: Early July until first killing frost - Phone for picking report. Directions: Go 3 km west of Red Lodge Provincial Park \(or 18 km west of Bowden, AB on highway 587\) to range road 31, turn south and go 3 km to the end of the road, turn east and go just 13 of a km to the farm. \(Just follow the signs - its easy!\). . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Picking updates: Click here for picking updatesGo 3 km west of Red Lodge Provincial Park (or 18 km west of Bowden, AB on highway 587) to range road 31, turn south and go 3 km to the end of the road, turn east and go just 1/3 of a km to the farm. (Just follow the signs - its easy!)We do not use pesticides on the cropsVarious game birds on site. We also raise & release Hungarian Partridges.
• The Cherry Farm - cherries, High Bush Cranberry, Sea Buckthorn
  1506 Township Road 354, Red Deer County, AB T4G 0J3. Phone: 403-352-9991. Email: gabertfamily@hotmail.com. Open: Friday, Saturday and Monday from 10 am to 8 pm, and Sunday from 2 pm to 6 pm. Directions: Little Red Deer Road, approx 6 miles west of the Golf Course. Take Highway 2 to the Highway 54 exit. Go west toward Innisfail. Turn left at Little Red Deer Road. We are at the corner of Range Road 15 and Little Red Deer Road. . Click here for a map and directions. The Cherry Farm Picking is quick and easy. All the cherries are accessible, no ladders needed. Average pick time 7 min/ lb. and usually averaging under 10 minutes per pound. Sour cherries in August and September UPDATE for 2023: September 16, 2023, High Bush Cranberry and Sea Buckthorn season. If you are looking to pick before the season is over please call. We are open by appointment only at this time. (ADDED: May 18, 2023, JBS)
• The Saskatoon Orchard - cherries, Saskatoons
  Hwy 792, Ponoka, AB . Phone: 403-318-1330. Email: gwedlund@telusplanet.net. Open: Saskatoons and sour Evans Cherry U-Picking August from 9 am to 9 pm Monday to Saturday while quantities last. Directions: Located Gull Lake, AB. Click here for a map and directions. . Phone: 403-782-2665 . west of Lacombe on Highway 12. Turn north on hwy 792 for 16 km, Turn west on Twp Rd 42-2. The 50 acre orchard is located northwest of Lacombe, 16 km north on Hwy. 792, 3 km west, 1.5 south. Follow the signs. During the season (end of July and August) we are Pre-picked and frozen berries are also available. Gerry, Carol, Mac and Ninie invite you to come and enjoy a relaxing day in the County. Catch a view of beautiful Gull Lake. Picnic tables, washrooms and refreshments are available for your enjoyment.was established in 1996. (UPDATED: May 15, 2023, JBS)

 

Cherry

Cherry Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

If you are about to pick cherries either directly from a tree, or from a local orchard or market, here's what you need to know to pick the best cherries.

Cherries are a fairly early crop, flowering soon after the last frosts in April and May, setting fruit in June, usually at the same time as strawberries in most areas (but check your area's harvest calendar and call the farm or orchard you are planning to go to a few weeks ahead).

Types of Cherries

There are two types of cherries: sweet cherries and sour cherries (also called tart or pie cherries). The difference is simple:

• Sweet cherries taste sweeter and are eaten fresh.
  
• Pie cherries are very tart and most people prefer to use them in pies, jams, preserves, jellies and butters, adding sugar to sweeten them.

See further down this page for a list of common cherry varieties and their uses. Washington State, California and Oregon are the primary sweet cherry growing states; they produce almost 90 percent the U.S.'s cherry crop. Michigan produces about 74 percent of tart cherry production. We have a master table of cherry varieties, sweet and sour (pie) in the order in which they ripen.

Cherry picking tips

• Pick ripe: Cherries, like peaches, continue to increase in size until they are ripe. They should be picked when they are of maximum size and full-flavored.
• But not under-ripe: Cherries picked before they are fully mature will not ripen off the tree.
• And not over-ripe: when they become soft, mushy or discolored.
• Pie or sweet: There are 2 main types of cherries: sweet cherries that taste sweet and tart when you eat them fresh, and sour (also called pie cherries) which are too tart for most people to want to eat fresh.
• For all varieties of sweet cherries, the darker the cherry is the sweeter it will be. If you like more sour cherries the lighter red and less ripe, the more tart it will be.
• Stem separation: Sweet cherries become firm when ripe (the stems usually stay attached when you pick a sweet cherry), and sour cherries part easily from the stem.
• Leave the stems on sweet cherries: Cherries that are to be shipped will keep longer if the stems are left attached. They will store in the refrigerator for two to three days.
• Appearance: Look for heavy, firm cherries with a shiny skin and fresh stem.
• But for immediate use, they can be picked with or without the stems.

How to pick the cherries from the tree

1. Gently grasp the berry with your fingers and thumb, and
2. tug gently.
3. If it is ripe, it will easily come off in your hand, with the stem attached.
4. Repeat these operations using both hands until each holds 3 or 4 cherries.
5. Carefully place - don't throw - the fruit into your containers. Repeat the picking process with both hands.
6. Don't overfill your containers or try to pack the cherries down.

General Picking Tips

Whether you pick Cherries from your own trees, a market or at a Pick-Your-Own farm, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Part the leaves with your hands to look for hidden cherries ready for harvest.
2. Avoid placing the picked cherries in the sunshine any longer than necessary. It is better to put them in the shade of a tree or shed than in the car trunk or on the car seat.
3. Cool them as soon as possible after picking. Cherries may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for two or three days, depending upon the initial quality of the berry.

Before you leave to go to the farm:

1. Always call before you go to the farm - Cherries are affected by weather (especially rain and cooler temperatures) more than most crops. And when they are in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL first! Always call before you go to the farm - Cherries are affected by weather (especially rain and cooler temperatures) more than most crops. And when they are in season, a large turnout can pick a field clean before noon, so CALL first!
2. Get there early. On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
3. Bring containers - Most growers furnish picking containers designed for Cherries, but they may charge you for them; be sure to call before you go to see if you need to bring containers.
   If you use your own containers, remember that heaping Cherries more than 3 inches deep will smush the lower cherries. Plastic dishpans, metal oven pans with 3 inch tall sides and large pots make good containers. I like the Glad storage containers like the one at right.
4. Drinks and snacks - Bring something to drink and a few snacks; you'd be surprised how you can work up a thirst and appetite! And don't forget hats and sunscreen for the sun. Bugs usually aren't a problem, but some deet might be good to bring along if it has been rainy.

When you get home

1. DON'T wash the cherries until you are ready to use them. Washing makes them more prone to spoiling.
2. Chill: Cherries are more perishable than blueberries or strawberries, so make a point of refrigerating them as immediately as possible after purchase. Temperatures between 34 F and 38 F are best, but, be careful not to freeze cherries! (Fresh cherries are highly prone to freeze damage).
3. Spread out: Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting cherries
4. Eat or freeze: Even under ideal conditions cherries will only keep for a few days in a refrigerator, so for best flavor and texture, consume or freeze them as soon as possible after purchase.
5. See my How to freeze berries page. (Unless you're going to make jam right away)
6. Now, get ready to make Cherry jam - It is VERY easy - especially with our free Cherry preserves instructions - illustrated and easy or cherry pie filling

Cherry Recipes, Canning, Jam, Jelly, and related resources

• Cherry preserves instructions - illustrated and easy
• Cherry jelly
• Cherry pie filling
• Cherry butter
• Cherry festivals
• Cherry pitters - reviews and where to get them
• How to pit cherries - several methods

Cherry varieties

For a master table of cherry varieties in the order in which they ripen, click here.

Sweet cherries:

 

• Bing cherries are deep red in color and sweet.
• Blackgold - very late mid-season. Good for eating fresh. Self-fertile.
• Brooks - a large, firm red cherry that tolerates hot climates. Sweet with both complex flavors and a sweet tart blackberry-like taste.
• Chelan - deep, mahogany red, heart-shaped, medium sized, sweet fruits, like Bing.  Sweet, between 16 and 18 % sugar.
• Coral Champagne - very large, red, super sweet fruit that is often preferred to Bing. Firm, but juicy flesh with a coral pink color center.
• Emperor Francis are White or Blush Sweet Cherries, Early season, perfect for canning, making jellies and jams, or making homemade maraschinos.
• Hartland, an early season dark cherry. A Windsor cross, it was developed in New York
• Hedelfingen is a later season sweet cherry. It has large, black fruit.
• Kristin cherries are a a mid-season cherry developed in New York.
• Lambert Cherry is a large, black, late harvest cherry of very good quality, compared to Bing.
• Lapins Cherry is a self-fruitful, large, dark red sweet cherry from Canada with firm, good flavor. Ripens a few days after Bing and needs only 400 chilling hours or less to produce fruit.
• Orondo Ruby - A ruby red color with some gold coloring, this is a sweeter, brighter variant of the Rainier cherry. Marcus Griggs of G&C farms found this in his Rainier cherry orchard. They have a brighter red color to them and a sweeter and a bit more acidic.
• Rainier cherries are golden yellow with a pink or red blush. Rainier cherries are large and sweet.
• Royalton cherries are large, dark cherry mid-season cherries
• Sam - early ripening, large, black sweet cherry. Ripens 11 days after Vista.
• Skeena cherries are a late ripening variety. They are dark red, firm and juicy.
• Somerset cherries are medium sized, later season cherries that are dark and firm.
• Sonata - Very large, black, and moderately sweet fruit. Self-fertile.
• Staccato cherries are a deep purple-red and also a late season variety. Staccato cherries are large and one of the sweetest varieties.
• Stella are a large, sweet, dark-red fruit that ripens in mid-season
• Sweetheart cherries are a large, bright red late-season variety, medium sweetness
• Sunburst - large, firm fruit. Old productive variety. Self-fertile.
• Symphony - bright red, medium-sweet very large fruit. Late season. Self-fertile.
• Tehranivee - mid-season cherry developed in Ontario, Canada. Cracking can be a problem. Self-fertile.
• Ulster - medium-sized, firm, dark cherry, Ripens about 2 days after Vista.
• Vandalay - Large, red fruit with an unusual kidney shape. From Canada. Self-fertile.
• Viscount - medium-large, firm, good, dark red cherries. Late season ripening.
• Vista - the cherries are very dark, almost black. Large excellent-quality fruit. Mid season, ripens around the last week in June.
• Viva - dark red, 3/4 inch fruit from Canada. Ripens around July 4.
• White Gold are a blush cherry of moderate to large size.

Pie, Sour or Tart Cherries (all different names for the same thing!)

• Balaton Ujfeherto Furtos is a Hungarian sour cherry with firm fruit that is suited to picking by hand and eating fresh. Red skin and flesh. Ripens about 7 to 10 days after Montmorency
• Danube Erdi Botermo has dark red fruit with a unique sweet-tart flavor. Delicious eaten fresh or in baked goods. Ripens about 1 week before Montmorency.
• Dark-juice-tarts has juice that is red rather than clear in color.
• Jubileum - new, from Hungary. Very large with a dark red flesh. Sweet for a tart cherry, not quite as tart as Montmorency.
• Meteor - Medium-sized fruit with an odd shaped pit. Ripen s3 to 7 days after Northstar.
• Montmorency, the most commonly grown, traditional cherry for pies, baking and canning. Ripens around the last week of June to the first week of July.
• Morello Sour Cherry is a late-ripening tart dark red to nearly black cherry used for cooking, and sometimes eaten fresh when fully ripe. Fruits in warm climates ( 500 hours or fewer chilling hours below 45 F) Self-fruitful. USDA
• Northstar - Medium-sized, dark red fruit.
• Surefire - A new late blooming variety from Cornell. Bright red, medium sized fruit.

Cherry Facts and Tips

• Cherries come in many colors besides red: there are also dark red (almost black), yellow, blush (mixed) and gold cherries.
• Cherries are a very healthy food; they are high Vitamin C and naturally have no fat, cholesterol or sodium. They are also a good source of ivitamin A, calcium, protein, and iron.
• Cherries are an antioxidant-rich foods.
•  One cup of cherries is less than 90 calories and 3 grams of fiber.
• One cup of cherries has 260 mg of potassium which plays a key role in muscle, heart, kidney, and nerve cell functions.
• Cherries are high in fiber. Half to one pound of cherry fruit per day can provide twenty to thirty grams of fiber which is adequate for an adult daily nutrition requirement.
• Do the math and be careful not to over-purchase as Cherries quickly mold when left at room temperature, and only last a couple of days in the refrigerator.
• You can easily freeze cherries that you cannot use right away - just wash, cut the hulls off and pop them into a ziplock bag, removing as much air as possible. Those vacuum food sealers REALLY do a good job of this! The cherries will keep for many months frozen without air. See my How to freeze berries page
• Anthocyanins in cherries are what give the fruit its red color and help protect the heart and surrounding tissues
• Some research has found eating cherries to reduce pain and inflammation associated with arthritis and gout

 

Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)

• Farm markets and roadside stands
• Local Honey Finder
• Local Meat, Milk and Eggs
• Venues: Farms, Wineries, Orchards for your event, wedding or party
• Easter egg hunts
• Children"s consignment sales
• Fruit and vegetable festivals
• Winery tours and wine tastings
• Horse rides, stables, lessons, trails
• Maple Syrup farms and sugarworks
• Bed & Breakfasts on Farms, Wineries, Ranches and Orchards
• Pumpkin patches
• Corn mazes
• Zombie Paintball venues
• Christmas Tree Farms & lots
• Environmental resources
• Consumer fraud information
• Wholesale food sources
• Resources for Farmers