There’s nothing quite like the taste of a sun-warmed cherry picked straight from the tree. Knowing exactly when to pick cherries is the secret to that perfect burst of flavor. Get the timing right, and you’ll enjoy the ultimate reward for your gardening patience. Get it wrong, and you might end up with fruit that’s sour, hard, or past its prime.
This guide will walk you through every sign you need to look for. We’ll cover color, feel, taste, and even the stem’s story. You’ll learn how to harvest your cherries for maximum sweetness and the longest possible storage.
When to Pick Cherries
This isn’t a single-day event. Cherry harvesting is a window of opportunity that lasts about a week to ten days, depending on the weather. Your goal is to pick during the peak of that window. The first visual cue is the most obvious: color.
For sweet cherries, like Bing or Stella, you’re waiting for a deep, almost mahogany red or nearly black hue, depending on the variety. Yellow varieties, like Rainier, will turn a rich, creamy gold with a full pink to red blush.
Tart cherries, like Montmorency, tell a different story. They turn a bright, vibrant red when fully ripe. Don’t pick them while they’re still showing any pale pink or orange tones.
Remember: Color alone can be decieving. Always use it in combination with the other tests listed below.
The Three-Step Ripeness Check
Before you start picking in earnest, perform this simple three-step check on a few sample cherries from different parts of the tree.
1. Check the Color Uniformity. A truly ripe cherry will have a consistent, deep color all the way around the fruit. If one side is still pale or greenish, it needs more time. Check cherries that get full sun and those in dappled shade, as they ripen at slightly different rates.
2. Assess Firmness with a Gentle Squeeze. Ripe cherries are firm but not rock-hard. They should have a slight give, like a ripe peach, but without being mushy. If it feels soft or the skin wrinkles easily, it’s overripe.
3. Do the Taste Test (The Best Part!). This is the most reliable method. Pick a cherry that looks good and taste it. The flavor should be richly sweet (for sweet cherries) or perfectly tangy (for tart cherries), with no green or bitter aftertaste. Your taste buds are the ultimate judge.
How the Stem Tells You It’s Time
How the cherry detaches from the stem is a critical, often overlooked, clue. This is especially important for sweet cherries you plan to store.
* The Perfect Pick: A ripe, ready cherry will detach easily from its stem with a gentle, upward twist. The stem should separate cleanly from the spur (the small woody bump on the branch), leaving the fruit with its stem intact.
* Not Ready Yet: If you have to tug hard and the stem breaks off the cherry, leaving a small wound, the fruit is not fully mature. This will shorten its shelf life dramatically.
A Note on Tart Cherries: Tart cherries are often harvested without the stem, especially for processing. They come off the tree more easily when ripe. For fresh eating, however, leaving the stem on is still best.
Daily Monitoring is Key
As your cherries approach ripeness, check on them daily. Weather plays a huge role. A stretch of hot, sunny days can accelerate ripening quickly. Birds and other wildlife will also give you signals—if they start showing intense interest, your harvest window is opening!
Here’s a quick daily checklist:
* Look for the deep, uniform color.
* Gently test the firmness of a few fruits.
* Watch for the first few cherries falling naturally from the tree.
* Notice if the fruit seems to “hang” differently on the stem.
The Right Way to Harvest Your Cherries
Once you’ve confirmed ripeness, it’s time to harvest. Doing this carefully protects your fruit and the tree’s future crops.
What You’ll Need:
* A shallow container (like a tray or basket). Deep buckets can crush the fruit at the bottom.
* A ladder for safe reach, if needed.
* Clippers or small scissors for stubborn stems (optional).
Step-by-Step Harvesting:
1. Pick in the Cool of the Day. Early morning is ideal, after the dew has dried. The fruit is firm and temperatures are lower, which helps with storage.
2. Handle with Care. Hold the cherry in your fingers and gently twist the stem upwards, keeping the stem attached to the fruit. Don’t pull straight out or yank downwards.
3. Place, Don’t Drop. Carefully place the cherries into your shallow container. Avoid dumping or piling them high to prevent bruising.
4. Work Systematically. Move around the tree, harvesting all the ripe fruit you can see. Remember that cherries ripen from the outside of the tree inward, and from the top down.
5. Leave the Unripe Fruit. Don’t strip the tree. Leave any pale or hard cherries for another day or two. They will not continue to sweeten off the tree, but they will continue to darken in color and soften slightly.
Post-Harvest: Keeping Your Bounty Perfect
What you do after picking is just as important. Cherries are perishable and need immediate attention.
1. Sort Immediately. As soon as you’re done picking, sort through your harvest. Remove any cherries that are damaged, split, or overripe. Use these first for immediate eating, baking, or pitting for the freezer.
2. Do Not Wash Until Ready to Eat. Washing adds moisture that speeds up spoilage. Store them dry.
3. Chill Them Fast. To preserve crispness and flavor, get your sorted cherries into the refrigerator as soon as possible. Place them in a breathable container or a loosely closed plastic bag lined with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture.
4. Store Properly. Stored correctly at just above 32°F (0°C), fresh cherries can last for up to two weeks. Always keep them in the fridge’s crisper drawer.
Common Problems and Solutions
Even with perfect timing, you might encounter a few issues.
* Birds Eating Your Crop: This is the number one complaint. The only truly effective solution is to net your tree. Install the netting just as the fruit begins to color, ensuring it’s sealed at the trunk to prevent birds from getting inside.
* Split or Cracked Fruit: This is usually caused by a heavy rain after a dry period, as the cherries rapidly absorb water through their skin. While you can’t control the weather, consistent, deep watering during dry spells leading up to harvest can help reduce the problem.
* Fruit is Soft or Mushy: This indicates overripeness or that the fruit was left in the sun too long after picking. Harvest a little earlier next season and get the fruit cooled immediately. Overripe cherries are still great for jams, syrups, or drying.
FAQ: Your Cherry Picking Questions Answered
Q: Can you pick cherries when they are still a little light red?
A: You can, but they won’t get any sweeter off the tree. They may darken in color, but the sugar content is fixed at harvest. For the best flavor, wait for full color and a sweet taste test.
Q: How long is the cherry picking season?
A: For a single tree, the main harvest period is usually 7-10 days. Across different varieties, the home garden season can span from late spring to mid-summer.
Q: What happens if you pick cherries to early?
A: Early-picked cherries will be starchy, sour, or bitter. They will also shrivel more easily and have a very short storage life due to immature skin and stems.
Q: Do cherries continue to ripen after being picked?
A: No. Cherries are non-climacteric fruits, meaning they do not ripen further once removed from the tree. They will soften and decay, but not get sweeter.
Q: What’s the best time of day for picking cherries?
A: Early morning, after the dew has evaporated, is perfect. The fruit is cool and firm. Avoid picking in the heat of the afternoon.
Mastering the art of picking cherries at the perfect moment transforms your harvest from good to exceptional. It’s a skill that relies on using all your senses—sight, touch, and most importantly, taste. By following these practical steps, you’ll ensure every cherry you pick is a testament to your gardening care. The reward is that incredible, juicy flavor that only comes from a perfectly ripe fruit you nurtured yourself.