2024 Central Washington State Cherry U-Pick Farms and Orchards - PickYourOwn.org

Cherry U-Pick Orchards in Central Washington 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.

Benton County

• Jamison Farm - cherries, U-pick and already picked, porta-potties
  72307 E 266 Prne, Richland, WA 99352. Phone: (509) 438-5740. Email: Jamisonjd@msn.com. Open: daily including Sunday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; Starting June 13, 2018 and continuing until about June 23; We May close early on any day if temperature in the orchard exceeds 90 degrees F. Directions: From RichlandKennewickPasco: Exit I-182 west at the first Queensgate Exit. Take Duportail to Keene Road. Go right on Keene, to Kennedy Road. Turn left on Dallas Road at the flashing light and watch for signs. From Yakima Valley, Seattle, and points west: Take I-82 east towards the Tri-cities. Get off at Dallas Road Exit and turn left. Go about 2 miles and watch for signs. \(Check Google maps\) Near West Richland, just off Dallas Road. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . Alternate Phone: (509) 627-6252. . daily (including Sunday), 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; Starting June 13, 2018 and continuing until about June 23; We May close early on any day if temperature in the orchard exceeds 90 degrees F. From Richland/Kennewick/Pasco: Exit I-182 west at the first Queensgate Exit. Take Duportail to Keene Road. Go right on Keene, to Kennedy Road. Turn left on Dallas Road at the flashing light and watch for signs. From Yakima Valley, Seattle, and points west: Take I-82 east towards the Tri-cities. Get off at Dallas Road Exit and turn left. Go about 2 miles and watch for signs. (Check Google maps) Near West Richland, just off Dallas Road. (UPDATED: June 09, 2018)
• Ray French Orchard - apples, cherries, peaches, Other fruit or veg, U-pick and already picked
  955 Harvest Lane Pr. Ne., Richland, WA 99352. Phone: 509-627-3673. Email: rfrenchorchard@live.com. Open: Starting in June, Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to 6 pm; Closed Sundays. Directions: from Prosser, WA, Merge onto I-82 towards Richland, Take the Dallas Road exit \(104\), Turn left onto N. Dallas Rd., Turn Right onto Arena Rd., Turn Right onto Kennedy Rd., Turn Right onto N. Harvest lane . Payment: Cash, Check. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. . . from Prosser, WA, Merge onto I-82 towards Richland, Take the Dallas Road exit (104), Turn left onto N. Dallas Rd., Turn Right onto Arena Rd., Turn Right onto Kennedy Rd., Turn Right onto N. Harvest lane . Please bring your own boxes.

Klickitat County

• Schmerber Farm - cherries, U-pick and already picked, porta-potties are available, picnic area you may bring your own food
  79 Snowden Road, White Salmon, WA 98672. Phone: 509-493-4034. Email: schmerb@hotmail.com. Open: See our website for current July hours. Directions: Payment: Cash, only. 10 varieties of cherries including dark sweet cherries, pie cherries, and rainiers. Although we have bags and boxes for packing up your you-picked cherries, it is helpful if you bring your own bags, coolers, or containers to take your fruit home. As a reminder, please be aware that we don\'t allow ladder use, step stools, tree climbing, or any elevating device in the orchard. There is plenty of fruit that can be reached from the ground so access shouldn\'t be a problem. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only.
  Schmerber Farm Facebook page. . . 10 varieties of cherries including dark sweet cherries, pie cherries, and rainiers. Although we have bags and boxes for packing up your you-picked cherries, it is helpful if you bring your own bags, coolers, or containers to take your fruit home. As a reminder, please be aware that we don't allow ladder use, step stools, tree climbing, or any elevating device in the orchard. There is plenty of fruit that can be reached from the ground so access shouldn't be a problem.s Facebook page. Also, we will take orders for pre-picked cherries again this year, so if you want to place an order please call and give us at least 24 hours notice and we will have your fruit picked and packed for you and you can pick it up here at the farm.

Yakima County

• Barrett Orchards - Uses natural growing practices, cherries, U-pick and already picked, farm market, gift shop, concessions or refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, school tours
  1209 Pecks Canyon Road, Yakima, WA 98908. Phone: 509-966-1275. Email: treeripened@aol.com. Open: Monday thru Saturday 10 am to 3 pm, Sunday 11am to 3 pm. Directions: Highway 12 to North 40th avenue exit in Yakima 2nd light right on west powerhouse to 1st left on Pecks canyon road left 14 mile to red barn. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, AmEx. . Fax: 509-966-1589. . Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. Highway 12 to North 40th avenue exit in Yakima 2nd light right on west powerhouse to 1st left on Pecks canyon road left 1/4 mile to red barn. Cherry season. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. We grow apples, pears, peaches, apricots, nectarines, cherries and plums.
• Bill's Berry Farm - 2023 permanently closed  ORGANIC, apples, blueberries, cherries, flowers, pumpkins, Other fruit or veg, U-pick and already picked, concessions or refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, pony rides, petting zoo, birthday parties, school tours
  3674 N. County Line Road, Grandview, WA 98930. Open: UPDATE for 2023: They are permanently closed, according to Google
• McIlrath Family Farms - strawberries, cherries, peaches, plums, pluots, nectarines, pears, apples, Christmas trees
  10 Old Naches Hwy, Yakima, WA 98908. Phone: (509) 480-2676. Email: info@mcilrathfarms.com. Open: Call or see their website or facebook page for hours. Directions: We are located at the stoplight at the intersection of Old Naches Highway and Highway 12. As you are traveling west on Highway 12, look for the intersection with Old Naches Highway and Old Powerhouse Road. We are the large white tent and greenhouse on the north side of Highway 12. . Click here for a map and directions.
  McIlrath Family Farms Facebook page. . Typical harvest dates are: Strawberries in May and June, Cherry harvest: Estimated to be July, Peach / Pluot / Plum / Nectarine harvest: Estimated to be late July-Early August. Pear harvest: August. Apples: Late September through October. Christmas Trees: Fresh cut trees with free pictures with Santa on the weekends. (ADDED: June 27, 2018, JBS)
• Thompson's Farm - apples, cherries, peaches, pumpkins, gift shop, restrooms, picnic area, farm animals, school tours, events at your location (call for info)
  9535 Old Naches Highway, Naches, WA 98937. Phone: 509 949 2455. Email: tomfarm@wolfenet.com. Open: see our website for current information. Directions: Located on Highway 12 and is 12 miles west of Yakima, Washington. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Visa, MasterCard. . Naches is . To get to the farm while traveling west turn right onto Schafer street. This is between a fruitstand, not ours, and a chevron station. Drive about two blocks and you will be at the farm. We are located on the northeast corner of Naches. Thompsons farm market is on Highway 12. When you get to Naches travel past Schafer and we are located on the south side of the highway across from Slims Market. In early June we will have asparagus at the market from the lower Yakima valley and mid June will begin bing cherries from the lower Yakima Valley; We will have our own cherries including u pick starting with bings and then rainiers in late June; We bring produce up from the lower valley all season such as beans, corn and whatever is looking good that day; Apricots will begin around late June; We will also bring Walla Walla onions in during June; In July we will continue with apricots and cherries and will have some peaches from the lower Yakima valley; We have a very large farm garden and supply the market with ripe heirloom tomatoes, summer squash, peppers, and cucumbers; In August we will start to harvest peaches, we have delp hale in mid August then suncrest and white peaches; We will have some pears at the end of August; In early September we have elberta and then in mid September we have ohenry; Mid September also has gala apples followed by golden delicious, red delicious and a few variety apples that continue into October; In October we are harvesting pumpkins; You May check the website for updates during the summer. Cherry Harvest at the Family Farm Late June through mid July.Peach Harvest at the Family Farm Mid August through mid September. (large variety of peaches with wagon rides to the trees on the weekends).Pumpkin Patch at the Family Farm every weekend in October with famous pumpkin cannon, hayrides, farm animals, u-pick and u-select apples, cornstalks, squash and gourds.
  Comments from a visitor on April 18, 2010: "The farm is fantastic, friendly people, easy to find the produce"
• Wingardner Orchards - Cherries. Rainier, Lapin and Sweetheart varieties,
  Gilbert Road, Zillah, WA 98953. Phone: (509) 949-4716. Email: billwingardner56@gmail.com. Open: in June until July 4th - call or email to confirm hours. Directions: directions. . Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. . Click here for a map and . Small family run pick your own Cherries. (ADDED: June 30, 2017, Suggested by a visitor)A visitor writes on June 30, 2017: "We came across this small family run orchard by chance when in the area. Couldn\'t pass up on the chance to pick these yummy cherries. Competitive pricing, helpful and friendly family to answer any questions. Located on Gilbert Rd between Ballard and White Road (closer to White Rd). Small U-Pick sign at entrance of drive. They will be open to 4th July "

 

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