Aug 03, 2018 cherry harvest season is one of our most favorite times of the year. One of the great treats of the early summer are fresh cherries. The upick blueberry season is in full swing here in southwest michigan. Bing cherries are large, heartshaped, dark red to purplecolored cherries with confectionary sweetness best for eating fresh, canning or freezing. In the summer come eat with us at the restaurant closed for the season, and in the fall, winter and spring, come see us at cherry hut products in benzonia open in november where we sell cherry goodies and bake cherry pies. After harvest, these gorgeous michigan montmorency tart cherries then head off to smeltzer orchards where they will be processed and will eventually become pie. The cherry hut a northern michigan tradition since 1922.
Whats in season in may 2020, and other timely information. One of the best varieties is the michigan black cherry. Michigan s towns and cities, along with its many lakes, make it a popular destination for vacationers in july. Here is a list of fruits and vegetables that are in season this summer in michigan. This is done by maintaining the cold chain and preventing pests from damaging the shipment, while also taking care to preserve the physical integrity of the fruits. In michigan, the largest tart cherry producing state, growers reported an average crop. The arctic air mass continues to cover michigan, and the northwest region had over six nights of frostfreeze risk. The state is rivaled only by the pacific northwest for cherry production, with michigan growing the bulk of the tart cherry crop and the northwest producing sweet fruit. Many michigan cherry farms and orchards off upick for the sweet cherry. Every july during the peak of harvest season, cherry lovers from around the world attend the citys national cherry festival, where they can taste just about every michigan grown variety.
Canned fruits and vegetables would be your third best option, but really, it is better to have them any way you can. Guide to enjoying traverse citys cherry blossoms the. We also have a page with links to our own simple instructions on canning, freezing and drying many fruits and vegetables, such as how to make jam, apple butter. Peak viewing time for the beloved yoshino trees is midmarch, but with the variety of trees planted at the garden, the. For the ultimate experience visit the glen arbor location of cherry republics tasting room where the whole family can taste test different flavors of cherry flavored soda or pop. Michigan is cherry country because of the moderating lake effect weather from lake michigan.
Ap the national cherry festival, a major northern michigan summer destination for decades, has been canceled for 2020 due to uncertainty over the coronavirus, organizers. Sour cherries are typically ready around the fourth of july and the harvest can last until the end of the month. Jun 11, 2019 tart cherry production down 18% source. United states tart cherry production is forecast at 290 million pounds, down 18% from the 2018 production. It is a cross between the varieties schmidt and lambert. Riveridges sweet cherry program features the natural progression of preferred sweet cherry varieties as they ripen from south to north. According to bob, a cherry connoisseur in the torch lake area, it is northern michigan s best cherry.
Cherry picking around traverse city traverse city forum. These activities generally allow residents to maintain healthy lifestyles by encouraging movement and socializing with their peers. Cherry harvest in northern michigan grand traverse pie company. Blueberry lane plantation farm on blueberry lane in otter lake, michigan. The tree is a heavy bearer, with grapelike clusters of fruit. I know that spring fever is in full bloom when i start getting people coming in droves to read about cherry blossoms. Bing cherries are a dark, sweet cherry and are ready for harvesting near the end of spring. Michigan is expected to produce about 165 million pounds of tart cherries this season, thats 70% of americas tart cherry crop. A cherry blossom tour is a great way to spend an afternoon. In addition to the normal attractions, summer brings a variety of festivals. Strawberry season is going on right now in the south and warm areas of the west, and later in the month up north.
If you know the answer to this question, please register to. You can buy a big box of dried cherries that are from michigan. A cherry tree will take three to four years once it is planted in the orchard to produce its first crop of fruit, and seven years to attain full maturity. My boyfriend and i will be driving up there so we can go a little out of the way. Best in season as far as the nutritional value of fruits and vegetables, if fresh is not an option at the time, frozen is the next best choice. According to michigan state university, peak cherry season is the 3rd week of july, although i searched my pictures and in 2010 i picked sweet cherries in grant on june 27. King orchards in northern michigan is a u pick cherry orchard, also offering. The lewis ginter botanical garden near richmond offers the cherry tree walk, a path that has been planted with a variety of trees yoshino, akebono, weeping cherry, kwanzan, and autumnalis to extend the blooming season. Michigan s cherry production is about 250 million pounds, and represents about 75 percent of the tart cherries and 20 percent of the sweet cherries grown annually in the united states. Jul 20, 2018 bing cherry is a midseason cherry variety. Michigan availability guide this chart is a buying guide for fruits and vegetables commonly grown in michigan. Cherry festival is over, but the cherry season has just begun.
When you think rainier geographically, your mind should go straight to that pacific state. Tart cherry season from blossom to harvest youtube. Upick cherry orchard in northern michigan king orchards. Many of the golden sweet varieties are made into maraschino cherries. Other summer fruits and vegetables include blueberries, honey rock melons, pickles, broccoli, cauliflower. Traverse city, michigan is home to the annual national cherry festival and is the cherry capital of the world. Blueberry festival in otter lake, michigan typically held the last saturday in july. But in july and early august, the countryside around traverse city is dotted with stands, markets and upick signs offering cartons of sweet, dark cherries.
King orchards in northern michigan is a upick cherry orchard, also offering raspberries, strawberries, peaches, nectarines, and apples. Cherry blossom manor is an assisted living facility in hart, mi. If you find a cherry in a store that looks black but has some red tint to it, then you dont have a michigan black cherry. A hungarian sour cherry cultivar, balaton, has been commercially produced in michigan since 1998.
Michigan crop harvest calendar when fruit and vegetables. Although this year has been slow going, i was out and about yesterday and caught some of the first blooms of the season. Feds refuse a salvage cut to save michigans cherry industry. It is a cross between the popular bing cherry and the van cherry.
In fact, we grow 75% of the countrys variety of mighty montmorency cherries. As of july 29, 2019, cherries are finishing up in southern michigan, but still available in mid and northern michigan. Michigan farm market whats in season orchard market. May 12, 2020 northwest michigan fruit update may 12, 2020 published on may 12, 2020. Dandelions and cherry trees, photo by michigan nut photography. Usda estimates 2019 cherry crops fruit growers news. Michigan sweet cherries riveridge produce marketing, inc. Michigan is a cherry powerhouse, ranking first in the nation in the production of montmorency tart cherries and fourth in the production of sweet cherries, according to the michigan ag council. A summer of despair for michigans cherry growers bridge magazine. Tart cherry season runs from early july to early august. Jul, 2010 one of the great treats of the early summer are fresh cherries.
Since the 1900s, michigan has produced a large quantity of tart cherries, valued for use in pies, juice and preserves. Top reasons to visit traverse city the cherry capital of. It shows a wide range of availability because the season for fruits and vegetables varies slightly from year to year and from one area of the state to another. Cherry republic of glen arbor 2020 all you need to know. Our mid to late season black cherry, sams extends our season. The montmorency cherry is the variety of tart, or sour, cherry most commonly grown in the state. Celebrating the tasty cherry, the fest is a week of events for the whole family, with everything from wine. Does anyone know of a place to go cherry picking in or around traverse city. Sep 21, 2017 since the 1900s, michigan has produced a large quantity of tart cherries, valued for use in pies, juice and preserves. Cherry bliss on michigans northern peninsula cooking light. Philip korson, president of the cherry marketing institute in dewitt, michigan, told a joint legislative hearing in lansing last week that 85 percent of tree orders for this past springs planting season had been canceled. These cherries are black in color without any red hint. Cherry harvest in traverse city mi with santucci farm duration. At king orchards, our harvest season begins with strawberry upick in mid june and ends with upick apples in the fall.
Begun in 1925 as the blessing of the blossoms, the event was a way to celebrate the areas abundant cherry crop. Even if your travels do not bring you to traverse city during the cherry festival or cherry season, all things cherry can be found year round at cherry republic. A summer of despair for michigans cherry growers bridge. While we dont have an exact report, it looks like were running about a week behind, which would put blossoms in the 2nd to 3rd weekend of may depending on where youre located. Onekama as cherries begin to ripen across the state, many orchards in northwest michigan are harvesting their crop for the season to share with those who cherish its unique taste. Northwest horticultural council pacific northwest sweet cherries cherry fact sheet. Cherry harvest in northern michigan grand traverse pie. Michigan s cherry industry is highly vulnerable to a late spring frost, which can wipe out a season s harvest. This page has a table below that tells when each fruit or vegetable is normally ready to be harvested in michigan. Local cherries are the gems of the northern michigan summer.
Cherry capital of the world traverse city, michigan. Jul 07, 2017 michigan is expected to produce about 165 million pounds of tart cherries this season, thats 70% of americas tart cherry crop. This year, the united states department of agriculture estimated the national cherry crop will rise by 24 percent compared to the previous year. Michigan is the number one state of highbush blueberry production. Most of michigan s sweet cherry production is concentrated in the traverse city area. Blueberry season in southwest michigan castle in the country. Most of michigans sweet cherry production is concentrated in the traverse city area. May 12, 2017 in addition to michigan in pictures, i run the website. Michigan cherry industry still trying to absorb tariff loss to. Mar 28, 2019 a successful effort to develop new markets for michigans tart cherry crop was virtually eliminated by a killing frost that took out most of the states crop in 2012. Cherries and blueberries are next, in june in most areas. May 18, 2017 one of the most scenic cherry blossom drives is north on county road 641 from m72.
They are also a quintessential dessert ingredient when they are in season. Cherry blossom manor offers activities at their location for residents. Cherry shaking season is here in michigan and that means cherries throughout the northern part of the state are ripe and ready to be picked off the tree. Late june is when the shipping of these cherries begins. Cooler than normal spring weather conditions led to a delay in the crop. The next crops to harvest are sweet and tart cherries. Other cherries, such as washington cherries, are usually in season from june through september. We recently took a field trip to amos orchards in northern michigan to see where it all begins. Brooks cherries are the first type to ripen every year, and along with bing cherries, chelan, garnet, sequoia, sweetheart and skeena cherries are all. Michigan crop harvest calendar when fruit and vegetables are.
Cherry orchards line the eastern shore of lake michigan from benton harbor to the traverse city area. With locations in beulah and benzonia michigan, the cherry hut serves up memories daily. I am lucky because my home state of michigan is the number 1 tart cherry grower in the united states. Cherry season to see a full harvest in northwest michigan. Cherry trees thrive in temperate climates, so blazing temperatures alone could be. The michigan cherry picking season starts in july and lasts until about midaugust. We will assess potential damage after tonight, which is predicted to be the last cold night this week. The plump, sour balaton cherry and the sweet, golden emperor francis make my mouth water even now. Annual cherry festival in traverse city canceled for 2020. Michigan for fruit, vegetables, pumpkins and other crops.
Having trouble figuring out the best produce to eat this season. The national cherry festival, held in michigan s traverse city, is anything but the pits. Cherry harvest season is one of our most favorite times of the year. Dec 30, 2015 this video outlines our montmorency tart cherry season from blossom to harvest at king orchards in northern michigan near torch lake and lake michigan. How do you top eight days of food, fun and familyfriendly activities and entertainment. Northwest michigan fruit update may 12, 2020 published on may 12, 2020. According to bob, a cherry connoisseur in the torch lake area, it is northern michigans best cherry. King orchards in northern michigan is a upick cherry orchard, also offering. We use these ruby red morsels of joy in over 200 cherry products like salsas, chocolate covered cherries, cherry nut mixes. Jul 25, 2019 cherryshaking season is here in michigan and that means cherries throughout the northern part of the state are ripe and ready to be picked off the tree. Cherry fruit fly trap catch started to be seen around july 4. The state of michigan, alone, creates over 100 million pounds of blueberries a year. Sweet cherry harvest began late last week at most farms.
Im strictly a northern michigan girl,go south and there are just too many people. Michigan tart cherry growers get the squeeze from overseas. The sweet variety is type of cherry that is usually found at your local farmers market or in the produce section of your local grocery store. Each year we anxiously await the arrival of the ruby fruit that brings visitors to the area, and keeps many of our businesses running.
We use these ruby red morsels of joy in over 200 cherry products like salsas, chocolate covered cherries, cherry nut mixes, and much more. Like most temperatelatitude trees, cherry trees require a certain number of chilling hours each year to break dormancy and bloom and produce fruit. If met, this could set cherries as the secondlargest crop on. Cool weather crops, like rhubarb, asparagus and greens should be available almost everywhere.