It’s cherry season on the Old Mission Peninsula, and if you’re wondering where to get U-Pick cherries, here’s a round-up of farms. Be sure and follow their Facebook pages to stay up-to-date on fruit availability and hours.
And if I’ve left out anyone, feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of this story or email me, [email protected], and I’ll add you.
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Santucci Farm
11789 Center Road; Facebook Page; [email protected]; (517) 974-7233.
Schedule and Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily.
At this writing, they are offering u-pick dark sweet and light sweet cherries. “These trees are loaded and picking could not be easier,” notes their Facebook Page. On Monday, July 20, they will open their tart cherry orchard for picking.
Sweet Cherries: $1.75/lb.; tart cherries, $1.25/lb.
COVID-19 Protocols: There is no pitting available this year.
Russell’s TC U-Pick
7178 Center Road; Facebook Page; [email protected].
Schedule and Hours: On days they are open, their hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday; and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.
Pick your own sweet and tart cherries in season. They are not open every day as in past years, because new insect pests that ruined last year’s crop dictate regular pesticide applications throughout the harvest. This means they may be open for three to four days, and then closed for three days because of pesticide applications. Check their Facebook page before heading over there.
COVID-19 Protocols: Please socially distance while picking and wear a face covering at their U-Pick Shed. They have hand sanitizer and sanitizing spray available. If you wish, you may bring your own 5- or 10-quart pails for picking.
Third Coast Fruit Co. (Wunsch Farms/Wilson Orchards)
555 Wilson Road; Facebook Page; CherryUPick.com; FAQs; [email protected].
Schedule and Hours: July 10 – August 15, 2020; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday (closed Tuesday – Thursday).
The Wunsch’s sixth generation family farm offers a wide variety of cherries and expert guidance to help you find “the freshest and most delicious cherries you’ve ever eaten,” notes their website. Dark sweet, light sweet, and baking cherries are all available in their orchard, and other seasonal local produce is available at their stand.
COVID-19 Protocols: They provide single-use plastic bags upon your arrival, which are used to weigh the cherries, and are meant to be taken home. All employees are wearing masks and gloves, and disinfecting all equipment and surfaces frequently. Markers are placed in the check-out line to keep customers at a distance of six feet apart. Customers are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings, use the hand sanitizer provided, and maintain six feet of distance between your group and others.
Little Fox Farm
15402 Center Road; Facebook; ourlittlefoxfarm.net; [email protected]; (231) 233-8836.
Schedule and Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.; Mondays by appointment only to service their elderly and immunocompromised customers; call (231)233-8836.
Owners Nate and Erin McManus own this farm and garden stand that opened this spring. They offer a variety of plants, flowers, shrubs, trees and more, and also have a variety of u-pick cherries available during cherry season; a 3-quart basket is $10.
COVID-19 Protocols: They ask that you wear a mask and follow social distancing protocols.
Cherry Connection of Edmondson Orchards
12414 Center Road; Facebook; (231) 223-7130.
Schedule and Hours: U-Pick Hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily; Farm Stand Hours: Summer, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Fall, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Hours may vary depending on fruit availablity and inclement weather.
In addition to locally-grown cherries ($2/lb.), they also offer a variety of other fruits and veggies in season, including apples, apricots, blackberries, nectarines, peaches, peppers, pumpkins, raspberries, strawberries, squash and tomatoes.
Their U-Pick Raspberry Patch, currently open for picking, is located on Center Road near the intersection of Blue Water Road.
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A NOTE FROM JANE: I started Old Mission Gazette in 2015 because I felt a calling to provide the Old Mission Peninsula community with local news. After decades of writing for newspapers like the New York Times and Los Angeles Times, and magazines like Family Circle and Ladies' Home Journal, I really just wanted to write about my own community where I grew up on a cherry farm and raised my own family. So of course, I started my own newspaper. Because the Gazette is mainly reader-supported, I hope you'll consider tossing a few bucks my way if I mention your event, your business, your organization or your news item, or if you simply love reading about what's happening on the Old Mission Peninsula. Check out the donation page here. Thank you so much for your support. -jb
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