Cherry season is almost here! The Cherry Shack Orchard will officially open on Thursday, July 2nd, with fresh Rainier, Bing, and pie cherries, available and Lambert later on.
Until then, we'll be selectively picking the ripest cherries from the orchard and bringing them to our local farmers markets. If you can't wait for opening day, stop by and grab some of the season's very first cherries!
Which cherries are right for you?
Rainier Cherries
Rainier cherries are known for their beautiful yellow skin with a red blush and their incredibly sweet, low-acid flavor. However, our Rainier actually turn more red than yellow because of the colder nights on Green Bluff. It's a little interesting fact and it makes for a much more beautiful cherry! (We think tastier too!) They're one of the most popular cherries in Washington and are perfect for snacking fresh.
Bing Cherries
Bing cherries are the classic dark red cherry. They're juicy, sweet, and have a rich cherry flavor that's great for fresh eating, desserts, smoothies, and freezing for later.
Pie Cherries
Pie cherries have a bright, tart flavor that makes them ideal for pies, crisps, jams, syrups, and baking. While they're too tart for most people to eat fresh, they're the favorite choice for homemade cherry desserts.
Cherry season doesn't last long, so be sure to stop by the Cherry Shack Orchard or visit us at one of our farmers markets while they're at their peak. We look forward to seeing you this summer!
Lambert Cherries
Much like a Bing cherry, they are a dark red cherry but have more of a heart shape to them and are juicer rather than crunchy. Great cherry flavor and work just as well as Bing in recipes.
Tips for Picking the Best Cherries
If this is your first time picking cherries, here are a few simple tips to help you have a great experience and keep our orchard healthy.
🍒 How to Pick Cherries
Look for cherries that are fully colored, firm, and come off the branch easily. Ripe cherries should have a bright green stem and a deep, even color. Rainier cherries will have a pretty solid red blush to them, while Bing cherries should be a rich, dark red. You can always taste test a tree to make sure that's the cherry your looking for!
When picking, gently grasp the stem and lift upward with a slight twist. Try to leave the stem attached to the cherry, as this helps the fruit stay fresh longer. Avoid pulling on branches or picking large clusters all at once, which can damage next year's fruiting wood.
🪜 Using Orchard Ladders
Our trees are tall, so we provide sturdy three-point orchard ladders to help you reach the best fruit.
Before climbing, make sure all three legs are firmly planted on the ground and the ladder steps are level. Having the leg to far from the steps can make it slip out and having the leg to close can make the ladder unstable. Gophers are also a problem as they dig holes and sometimes a leg can fall into one of their tunnels. To ensure there is no tunnel under the legs of the ladder, Stomp on the first step, once by each leg.
🌳 Please Don't Climb the Trees
For your safety and the health of the orchard, please do not climb the cherry trees. Tree branches can break unexpectedly, and climbing can damage limbs that produce cherries for years to come. If you can't quite reach a branch, simply move the ladder or ask one of our staff members for help—we're always happy to assist!
We hope you have a wonderful time picking and enjoy some of the freshest cherries Washington has to offer!
