🍒 Cherries: 6 Places to Pick Your Own

Plan a day trip to pick your own cherries near Rochester! The height of cherry season typically lasts 3-4 weeks, from mid-to-late July, but can be impacted by weather; therefore, start checking in late June. The cherry season coincides with the harvest of raspberries and blueberries. Our Locally Grown Produce harvest guide identifies U-pick farms and farmers’ markets for the entire harvest season.

Before heading out, please check with the farm to ensure the crop is still available. Many farms accept multiple payment forms, but we recommend bringing cash.

Bittner Singer Orchards U-Pick Cherries

Appleton

“Bittner-Singer Orchards has one of the largest orchards of dwarf cherry trees in the eastern United States. In the month of July, you can pick large sweet and tart cherries without using a ladder! Note: the U-Pick parking lot is at 6620 Lake Rd. (State Rte. 18), Appleton, NY. For the latest updates, check out our Facebook page, Bittner Singer Orchards Upick Cherries, or call our hotline: (716) 778-7858. Like Us on Facebook to get the latest news. Sign up for our newsletter, and we will send U-Pick Cherries news to your email address.”

Burnap’s Farm Market & Garden Cafe

Sodus

“Burnap’s offers Pick Your Own fruits for many different crops.  Depending on the season, you can always find something fresh to pick.  Bring the family out for the day and enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables, activities, farm-to-table lunches, and so much more. Please call (315)-483-4050 for specific crop picking dates.”

G and S Orchards

Walworth

“(In July), we have both Dark and White Sweet Cherries and Balaton Hungarian Sour Cherries (also known as Tart or Pie Cherries). Our cherries are great for fresh eating, freezing, canning, cherry cordial, pies, and drying. The sweet cherry and sour cherry seasons usually last 3 to 4 weeks. The length of the season depends on the amount of heat and rain received. If it is hot and/or rainy it will be shorter than if it is cool and dry.”

Hurd Orchards

Holley

“Hurd Orchards is a working fruit farm producing fruit sold throughout the northeast.
For generations, we open our orchards and fields to the public for fruit picking, sharing the seasonal joys of our harvest bounties with all. Varying weather conditions affect the ripening of all fruits; no one season is the same. Call our market with special requests (and to check what’s in season).”

Kappus Farms

Burt

“It’s cherry-picking time! There’s no better way to celebrate the summer than at Kappus Farms. Our sweet cherries are hanging low and ready to go. Dark, sweet black and red cherries are ready now (6/23/25). Red and yellow sweet cherries will be ready next week. Stay tuned for sour cherry updates. Located at 6275 Jockey Rd, Burt, NY 14028. Open M-Su, 8am-7pm—we are open on the July 4th weekend.”

Morgan’s Farm Market

Marion

“We grow the cherries and apples here on our farm at 3821 Cory Corners Road in Marion.”

Tips for when you pick your own cherries

Thank you to pickyourown.org for these helpful tips!

1. 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 butter, adding sugar to sweeten them.
2. Cherries, like peaches, continue to grow until they are ripe. They should be harvested at maximum size and flavor.
3. Harvesting the fruit before it is fully mature will prevent it from ripening off the tree.
4. Sweet cherries become firm when ripe (the stems usually stay attached when you pick a sweet cherry), and sour cherries separate easily from the stem.
5. The cherries being shipped will last longer if the stems are left attached. They can be stored in the refrigerator for two to three days.
6. Remember to bring drinks and snacks because working can make you thirsty and hungry. Also, don’t forget to bring hats and sunscreen for sun protection. While there are usually no bugs, bringing some bug spray might be a good idea just in case it has been raining.
7. Avoid leaving the picked cherries in the sun for too long. It’s better to place them in the shade of a tree or shed rather than in the trunk or on the car seat.
8. Always call before visiting the farm, as the crop is more susceptible to weather conditions, notably rain and cooler temperatures. During the season, a large turnout can pick the field clean before noon, so it’s important to call ahead.
9. If you use containers, do not pile cherries more than 3 inches deep to avoid crushing the lower ones. Suitable containers include plastic dishpans, metal oven pans with 3-inch-tall sides, and large pots.
10. Don’t wash them until you are ready to use them, as washing makes them more prone to spoiling.
11. Cherries are more perishable than blueberries or strawberries, so it’s important to refrigerate them as soon as possible after purchase.
12. Even under ideal conditions, cherries will only last a few days in the refrigerator. For the best flavor and texture, consume or freeze them as soon as possible after purchase.

Where is your favorite spot to pick cherries?

I’d love to hear from you—please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.