2024 Fingerlakes Region of New York State Cherry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Cherry U-Pick Orchards in Fingerlakes Region of New York State 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 any state, nor even every state, 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.

Monroe County

• Burch Farms - Uses integrated pest management practices, blueberries, cherries, currants (red and black), gooseberries, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (yellow), raspberries (Spring, yellow), raspberries (black), raspberries (Spring, black), strawberries,
  527 North Avenue, Hilton, NY 14468. Phone: 585 392 2095. Email: info@burchfarms.com. Open: Every day 8am to 5pm weather permitting June 15 to August 15. Directions: 1 mile north of Hilton on Route 259. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Fax: 585 392-2411. . We use integrated pest management practices. We have U-Pick berries and cherries, and Ready-Pick strawberries, peaches, nectarines and apples at our roadside stand, all in season.
• Fisher Farms - Follows organic practices, cherries, apples, peaches, Christmas trees
  467 Euler Road, Brockport, NY 14420. Phone: (585) 690-8269. Email: don@fishersfruit.com. Click here for a map and directions. . At Fisher's Fruit we have a goal. We want for people to be able to experience the fun of gathering their own fruit. Knowing where your fruits and vegetables are grown is very important these days. They grow their fruit Organically, but are not certified. facebook page. (ADDED: August 29, 2022, JBS)
• Partyka Farms - Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cherries, and tomatoes.
  1420 County Line Road, Kendall, NY 14476. Phone: 585-659-9131. Email: info1@partykafarms.com. Open: . Click here for a map and directions. 9 am to 9 pm April 15 through Oct 31st info1@partykafarmscom They have restrooms, picnic tables, grill, ice cream, do some organics, have beautiful flowers, take credit cards, have a petting zoo and a great playground for kids -- free Plus the Orleans County Country Barn Quilt Trail starts at their place, they offer free maps to it, and have an annual Quilt Festival Mother's Day week
  Comments from a visitor on September 02, 2009: "I love their place, it is awesome Very high quality, friendly people too and great service plus wonderful products"
• Schutt's Apple Mill - U Pick cherries, raspberries, pumpkins, cider
  1063 Plank Road, Webster, NY 14580. Phone: 585-872-2924. Email: schuttsapple@gmail.com. Click here for a map and directions.
  Schutt's Apple Mill Facebook page. . We ship apples! We pack farm fresh apples in two box sizes - single layer (18-20 apples) and double layer (38-40 apples). We ship to 48 states via UPS. Click here for more details on our apple boxes. Crop availability: U-Pick Cherries - last week in June; U-Pick Raspberries - Starting 4th of July; U-Pick - Pumpkins - in the fall. Call Us Toll free at 888-277-5370.
• Whittier Fruit Farm - Apples, blueberries, cherries, flowers, peaches, plums, pumpkins, raspberries, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, and prepicked produce, snacks and refreshment stand, picnic area, wagon rides
  219 Whittier Road, Rochester, NY 14624. Phone: 585-594-9054. Email: info@whittierfruitfarm.com. Open: See website for open dates and hours! Cherries: mid-July, Raspberries: mid-July-early September, Plums: mid-August- mid-September, Flowers: Late August-Late September, Apples: Late August-early November, Pumpkins: Late September- Early November. Directions: See website for map and directions . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard. . Click here for a map to our farm. Crops are usually available in July, August, September, October. Pick your own blueberries starts mid-July at our patch in Niagara County! At, you can pick your own raspberries, sweet cherries, plums, and apples in season. We provide picking containers or you can bring your own. Children are welcome to pick with adults, and we expect you will sample some fruit as you pick. (We don't expect you to eat more while picking than you buy!) Our pick-your-own blueberries are out in Niagara County. Wagon rides on Saturdays and Sundays starting the 2nd weekend in September through the end of October. Cider is made and sold fresh from mid-September- Late October. We have a playground with a picnic area where you can relax and enjoy ice cream or other refreshments while the children play! Gift-boxes for apples are available throughout the fall season.

Orleans County

• Hurd Orchards - U Pick Apples, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, sour cherries
  17260 Ridge Road, Holley, NY 14470. Phone: 585-638-8838. Email: market@hurdorchards.com. Open: May 1st through December 24th, Wednesday through Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday 11 am to 4 pm. Click here for a map and directions. . , winter hours by appointment. Black Raspberries, Red Raspberries, Blueberries, and Sour Cherries are ready to pick in July. Pick your own or purchase the lovely fruit in our market that we have picked for you. is a family fruit and flower farm and canning company nestled in the fertile lake plains of Western New York between the banks of the Erie Canal and the shores of Lake Ontario.
• Watt Farms - Apples, peaches, apricots, cherries, nectarines, other berries, plums, raspberries (red), raspberries (Spring, red), raspberries (Autumn, red), gift shop, farm animals
  3121 Oak Orchard Rd, Albion, NY 14411. Phone: 585-589-8000. Email: office@wattfarms.com. Open: Picking from 9 to 7 daily in season; Closes for winter around Christmas. Directions: See their website for directions. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. . . Picking from 9 to 7 daily in season; Closes for winter (around Christmas). Train rides ($5 for Adult/$3 children) during Apple Picking season Ice Cream & Fudge shop Apple and Peach U-Pick (ADDED: February 26, 2016, Suggested by a visitor)

Seneca County

• Varick Winery & Vineyard - cherries, gift shop
  5102 State Route 89, Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, Romulus, NY 14541. Phone: (315) 549-8797. Email: varickwinery@cnymail.com. Open: June 26 to July 15, daily, 9:30am to 6:00pm. Directions: Exit 41 on the New York State Thruway \(Waterloo\) to 318 East to 520 East to State Route 89South. Varick Winery is located 25 to 30 minutes southwest of Auburn, 10 miles south of Seneca Falls and the New York Chiropractic College, and 25-30 minutes north of Ithaca. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.
  Varick Winery & Vineyard Facebook page. . Fax: 315-549-8379. . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. Exit 41 on the New York State Thruway (Waterloo) to 318 East to 5/20 East to State Route 89South. Varick Winery is located 25 to 30 minutes southwest of Auburn, 10 miles south of Seneca Falls and the New York Chiropractic College, and 25-30 minutes north of Ithaca. Cherry Festival on June 26 and June 27, 2021 with cherry picking, arts and crafts, food, live music; Spud Chuckin' from May 29 to August 29, 2021, weekends only; Pumpkin Chuckin' from September 4 to November 7, 2021, weekends only. , 5102 State Route 89, Romulus, New York, is hosting its 16th Annual Cherry Festival on June 26 & 27, 2021, from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm, rain or shine. Enjoy sweet and sour cherry picking, food by Smokey and The Pig BBQ, wine, spud chuckin', sweet treats, music by The Inner Crazy on Saturday (6/26) and by Howie Bartolo on Sunday (6/27), and arts and crafts vendors, offering such treasures as jewelry, bags, candles, clothing, soap, and cutting boards. Admission is free. (UPDATED: May 23, 2021) (ADDED: June 18, 2015)
• Wagner Farms - 2023 permanently closed
  County Road, Valois, NY 14841.  Open: UPDATE: June 30, 2023: The owner tells me they are now permanently closed

Wayne County

• Burnap Fruit Farm - strawberries, cherries, raspberries, apples, pumpkins, corn maze
  7109 Lake Road, Sodus, NY 14551. Phone: 315-483-4050. Open: daily 9 am to 6 pm from Memorial Day to Halloween. Directions: . Click here for a map and directions. . Click here for their contact form. Click here for directions. The Kids Play Land Train is now boarding, and is FREE entertainment for the kids. Come on down and let the kids ride on our wooden train, drive the monstertruck or "swing" away in the castle. You can then take a walk through our corn maze, visit the sand boxes and toy area, there is never a dull moment for the kids. Mom and Dad can watch from our deck or Adirondack chairs in the yard. Join us for summer activities, pick-your-own strawberries and sweet cherries! (UPDATED: May 11, 2016, JBS)
• G and S Orchards - apples, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, currants (red and black), gooseberries, other berries, pumpkins, raspberries, strawberries,
  825 Atlantic Avenue ( Route 286) 1 mile East of Penfield Town Line, Walworth, NY 14568. Phone: 315-524-3823. Email: gcraft@rochester.rr.com. Open: You Pick Daily: weather permitting or call for times, changes with each crop; Farm Stand: Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 6:30pm, Saturday and Sunday from 8:00am to 6:00pm; June thru November with picked seasonal fruits and vegetables. Directions: From NYS Route 590, take Exit 7, proceed East on Atlantic Avenue \( Route 286\) exactly 10 miles. Farm is on the North East corner at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue \(Route 286\) and Lincoln Road Just 15 minutes from Downtown Rochester. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Fax:. . From NYS Route 590, take Exit 7, proceed East on Atlantic Avenue ( Route 286) exactly 10 miles. Farm is on the North East corner at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue (Route 286) and Lincoln Road Just 15 minutes from Downtown Rochester. Crops are usually available in June, July, August, September, October, November. Apples: September 20 to November 2, Blackberries: September 20 to October 12, Black Raspberries: July 12 to August 3, Sweet Cherries: June 28 to August 24, Currants: July 5 to August 3, Gooseberries: July 5 to August 3, Pumpkins: September 27 to October 31, Purple Raspberries: July 12 to August 10, Red Raspberries: June 28 to July 27, Strawberries: June 14 to July 13. CSA shares also available and Sales on Saturdays at Fairport Farmers Market (June thru November). Our "High Quality, High Taste Produce" is grown using Good Agricultural Practices and Integrated Pest Management Methods. (UPDATED: May 11, 2016, JBS) (UPDATED: September 11, 2013, jbs)
  Comments from a visitor on July 05, 2009: "Loved the orchard and the people. We arrived later in the day - just before they were going to close, and they didn't rush us to finish. Better then most of the other orchards around.
• Morgan's Farm Market - apples, strawberries, sour cherries, pumpkins
  3821 Cory Corners Rd, Marion, NY 14505. Phone: (315) 926-0910. Email: info@morgansfarmmarket.com. Open: 10 am to 6 pm on Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday and from 10 am to 5 pm on on Sunday. Click here for a map and directions.
  Morgan's Farm Market Facebook page. . . Be sure to call ahead for availability. Come take home some delicious local produce, home grown fruits and vegi's, salsa, honey, maple syrup, jams, dressings and more! Enjoy an afternoon selecting your own U-Pick fruit in season!! (ADDED: July 03, 2019, JBS)
• Noto Fruit Farm - U Pick Apples, cherries, ORGANIC, blueberries, blackberries. apple cider
  7539 E. Townline Road, Williamson, NY 14589. Phone: 315-589-8703. Email: info@notofruitfarm.com. Open: We have 6 varieties of organically grown highbush blueberries; Blueray, Bluecrop, Elliott, Patriot, Burkley, and Bluetta. Click here for a map and directions. . The picking season usually starts about July 4th, with Bluetta and Patriot being the first to ripen. The picking season peaks about July 25th when all varieties are available and extends to about August 10th with the later varieties. We have several varieties of both light and dark sweet cherries including Bing, Emperor Francis, Hedelfingen, Hudson, Napoleon and, Schmidt. Our U-Pick sweet cherry season starts in early July and tart cherries usually start to ripen in mid-July. Cherry harvest is almost always completed by August 1st, when the peach season starts. (UPDATED: July 05, 2018, JBS)
• Orbaker Fruit Farm - U Pick Apples, sour cherries, peaches
  3451 Lake Road, Williamson, NY 14589. Phone: 315-589-2036. Email: aco2apple@aol.com. Click here for a map and directions. . They are a 127 year old farm that grows apples, sweet and tart cherries, and peaches. We also own a packing house that ships apples to grocery stores such as Trader Joes and Stop and Shop.
• Wager's Country Apple - cherries, peaches, apples
  7047 State Route 104A, Red Creek, NY 13143. Phone: 315-754-6491. Click here for a map and directions. Wager's Country Apple
• Wilbert Fruit Farm - strawberries, sweet cherries, sour cherries
  4418 Ontario Center Road, Walworth, NY 14568. Phone: 315-986-1382. Open: U-Pick on Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm; call for Saturday hours. Click here for a map and directions. . The 2009 prices for sour cherries are $1.00 lb and sweet are $1.50 lb.
  Comments from a visitor on July 24, 2009: "This week I picked sour cherries at the Wilbert farm..at 1.25 per pound from the ground ..corner of Atlantic and Route 350"

 

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. Leave early. On weekends, then fields may be picked clean by NOON!
3. 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. 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. 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. Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any mushed, soft or rotting cherries
4. 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