Nothing says summer like cherry picking in Wisconsin. Find out when and where to find the best cherries in the state.

Wisconsin is known for our cheese, cranberries, brats, and beer, but did you know Wisconsin is the 4th largest grower of tart cherries (coming in at about 4%) in the country? Our cool springs make for ideal growing conditions for cherries, which means there are plenty of places to stop and go cherry picking in Wisconsin. 

Along with other fruits, like strawberries, apples, and blueberries, Wisconsin offers a host of different venues where you can pick-your-own cherries to take home and bake, can, or just munch on. But before you go, there are a few things you should know about cherry picking in Wisconsin. 

Today, we’re covering when the best time is to pick cherries, how to make sure you’re getting the sweetest and the ripest picks, which orchards to add to your summer bucket list, and a few of our favorite cherry recipes. 

When to go cherry picking in Wisconsin

The best time to go cherry picking in Wisconsin is between late June and the end of August. The season depends on which farm or orchard you visit, as well as the kind of cherry you’re picking. Sweet cherries are usually available first, with the tart variety a couple of weeks behind.

Normally, you can find updated information on the orchard website before visiting to get the best pick of the crop. Always double-check weather conditions and hours of operation to make your visit the most enjoyable it can be.

There isn’t a lot you’ll need to bring with you to PYO (pick your own) cherries, but recommendations include proper outdoor attire—skip shoes that are uncomfortable and clothes you can’t risk getting dirty, and make sure to pack sunscreen (or a hat) if you’re going midday. Some orchards offer containers to carry your cherry haul in, but if you’re not sure, you’ll want to bring your own container.

Cherry picking best practices

When choosing the ripest, most flavorful cherries, there are a few things to keep in mind. First off, cherries, unlike other fruits, won’t continue to ripen after they’re picked. So make sure you’re grabbing the fruits that are fully mature. Additionally, if you can, pick the whole cherry (stem included) from the tree. This keeps the fruit fresher for longer, especially if you store it out of sunlight.

The most popular type of cherry grown in Wisconsin is Montmorency cherries, a tart variety that makes up most of the crops. Some of the sweet varieties you can find include Lapins Sweet Cherries and Sweet Cherry Pie cherries.

Where to go cherry picking in Wisconsin

There are plenty of orchards and farms you can visit to go cherry picking in Wisconsin, but some of the best are in the Door County area. Before you head out, make sure to double-check the hours and the rates and see if they offer a pitting service (if you’d like to take advantage of that before you go home with your haul). 

Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery

Address: 9197 State Highway 42, Fish Creek

Season: Mid-July to early August

Pricing: TBD

Lautenbach’s Orchard is more than just a beautiful place to pick cherries. It’s also a market, bakery, and winery with tasting rooms. In February, the orchard hosts a Winter Wine and Cherry Fest, including live music, a food truck, and a pit spitting competition. 

Steffen’s Orchards

Address: N633 McIntyre Road, Fort Atkinson

Season: Beginning June 29th

Pricing: Starting at $17

Since 1983, Steffen’s Orchards has been offering two tart cherry varieties, Romeo and Carmen Jewel. The orchard also offers washing and pitting services after you pick your own cherries. 

Cherry Lane Orchards

Address: 7525 Cherry Lane, Sturgeon Bay

Season: Mid-July to mid-August

Pricing: TBD

Cherry Lane Orchard is family-owned and has 13 acres of cherry and apple trees. Be sure to bring cash to pay for your trip and the picking experience, as cards aren’t accepted there. 

Choice Orchards

Address: 4594 County Road HH, Sturgeon Bay

Season: Early July to mid-August

Pricing: TBD

For more than 40 years, Choice Orchards has been welcoming visitors to pick their own cherries. The orchard offers sweet varieties in early July and the iconic tart variety, Montmorency, through mid-August. For an additional fee, you can have your cherries pitted here.

Robertson Orchards of Door County

Address: 2575 South Shiloh Road, Sturgeon Bay

Season: Starting late June

Pricing: Starting at $10

This five-generation orchard was established in 1897. According to Robertson Orchards of Door County’s most recent online update, it anticipates opening for sweet cherry picking at the end of June, and tart cherry picking a couple of weeks after that. A cherry pitter is also available.

Delicious Wisconsin cherry recipes

Now that you’ve picked more cherries than you know what to do with, try out a few recipes and put those cherries to good use. Some of these recipes call for tart cherries, while others use sweeter ones, so double-check before you dive in. 

Door Country Cherry Pie

Recipe by Destination Door County

Ingredients:

• A favorite pie crust recipe, enough for a double-crusted 9” pie
• 5–6 cups fresh or slightly thawed frozen Montmorency tart cherries
• 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/8 teaspoon almond or vanilla extract
• 1 whole egg combined with 2 tablespoons whole milk or half and half
• 1 tablespoon sugar, to sprinkle on top of the pie

Door Country Cherry Biscotti

Recipe by Destination Door County

Ingredients:

• 3 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1-1/3 cups sugar
• 1-1/2 tablespoons grated lemon peel
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 cup chopped almonds
  
• 1 cup dried Door County cherries
• 1 egg white, beaten (for glazing the biscotti)
• Sugar to sprinkle on glazed biscotti prior to baking

Door County Cherry Muffins

Recipe by Meleddy Cherry Orchard

Ingredients:

• 2 cups tart Door County cherries (drained)
• 2  1/2 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 egg
• 2/3 cup oil
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.