Fruit Ripening & Picking Guides
Cherries (sour)
Sour cherry trees produce smooth, round fruit that grow in clusters with long stems. Sour cherries vary in colour and size depending on variety. They tend to be a red-orange colour when ripe, though some varieties are purple or darker red.
Average Ripening Timeline: mid June to late July
Ripeness Indicators
- Color When Ripe: red-orange, some varieties are purple or darker red
- Feel & Texture When Ripe: smooth, round, should be quarter-size or larger
- Taste & Smell When Ripe: plump and juicy
- Underripe if…pink or orange but not yet bright final color, hard to the touch, the pit and flesh stays attached to the stem when picked
- Overripe if…feel soft and mushy to the touch, skin is wrinkled, flesh is leaking juice
How to Harvest
Average Yield: 50 to 200 lbs
- Stems should detach easily from tree
- Hand-picking is best; grip stems and twist
- Use the picking poles for taller trees; try not to pull off leaves/branch tips
- Cherries can be picked very slightly underripe, but they do not continue to sweeten
How to Store and Eat
Storing
- Fridge: Keep the stem attached to the fruit as this will allow the cherries to store better. Cherries bruise easily and will not last long once they’ve been picked. Pack loosely in a single layer, store in the fridge and eat within a few days
- Freezer: De-stem and pit the cherries. Rinse, blot dry, and freeze in a single layer on a cookie sheet for a few hours. Transfer to a freezer bag. Use within 6-12 months
Ideas for Eating
Baking; cooking; canning