Orchards Near Me
Cherry Picking Near Saint Paul: What You Need to Know
Minnesota's cherry picking options are concentrated in the orchards of the Minnesota River valley and the areas along the North Shore of Lake Superior, where cold-hardy sour cherry varieties have been developed specifically for the state's demanding climate. The cherry season runs from mid-July through August in a growing zone that produces fruit with a tartness and intensity you won't find further south.
Great Lakes Cherry Country
The Great Lakes region produces more tart cherries than any other part of the world, with Michigan's Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas responsible for a remarkable seventy-five percent of the United States' tart cherry crop. The unique microclimate of the peninsulas—moderated by Lake Michigan on both sides—creates frost protection in spring and extended growing conditions in fall that make them uniquely suited to cherry production. Wisconsin's Door Peninsula offers a similarly lake-moderated growing environment, producing excellent tart cherries in a Scandinavian-influenced farming culture that has made cherry picking a regional tradition. The pick-your-own operations in both Michigan and Wisconsin are professional, well-organized, and celebrate the cherry harvest with festivals and community events that make a trip during season feel like a genuine occasion.
Best Time to Go Cherry Picking Near Saint Paul
Mid-July through August for the cold-hardy sour cherry varieties developed for Minnesota's demanding climate, later than in any state further south.
Tips for Your Saint Paul Cherry Picking Trip
Minnesota's cold-hardy cherry orchards produce fruit with a tartness and depth of flavor that reflects the climate's extremes. The orchards accessible from Saint Paul—both in the Minnesota River valley and further north along the Lake Superior shore—are worth visiting in mid-July when the season peaks, and bringing home a flat of sour cherries for preserves or pie is a Minnesota summer tradition worth adopting.