Cherry season is on its way. Here at Parlee Farms, the season may be on the shorter side, but our crop never disappoints! Our cherries are sweet and succulent, and there’s nothing like eating them freshly picked. If you don’t want to come pick your own, stop in on our farm stand to see if we have some available for purchase. We pick those fresh, as well.
Our Cherries Are Almost Ready!
When we think of cherries, we don’t often think of New England. There are a few varieties of cherries that do great in our climate. Our cherries are sweet and juicy and shine when eaten fresh off the tree. This is one of those years where are cherry crops are doing great. Unlike other crops, like strawberries and blueberries, cherries are highly sensitive to changes in the environment. Anything less than optimum and it would affect the crop. Not this year, cherry season is coming, and our crops are doing great. Always check our Todays Farm News for pick your own information. 
Cherries Have Early Spring Blooms
Since cherries bloom in early spring, that makes them particularly tricky in New England. We often get late frosts here in New England, and this can damage or destroy the buds before they can turn to fruit. This has happened to us int he past. If we get an early spring frost, or even a snowstorm, this could impact our cherry crops. Instead, we had great conditions this year.
Picking Cherries at Parlee Farms
We take a lot of pride in growing cherries that are sweet and delicious, and we care for our plants the way they are meant to be cared for. We prune the tress correctly, protect the blossoms, and watch the forecasts. This gives us a chance to help them weather any conditions that are less than optimum. We also grow a mix of varieties so that you can get the type of cherry that you will really enjoy.
Tips for Picking Cherries
Be sure to check our Farm News page so that you can plan your visit. As soon as you see that cherries are available, you should come visit us! The season is short and they tend to go quickly. Keep an eye on our website and social media for daily updates, as the season can sometimes begin or end suddenly depending on weather conditions.
Here are a few tips for a fun and fruitful cherry-picking outing:
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Arrive early. You’ll want to have your pick of the cherries, and arriving early helps you get the cherries you really want.
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Dress for the trees. Dress for comfort. Where closed toe shoes and make sure you are ready to pick fruit and be on you feet.
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Bring a cooler. Cherries are sensitive to heat, and storing them cool helps preserve their quality on the ride home.
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Handle with care. Cherries bruise easily, so treat them gently as you pick. Don’t squeeze them, gently hold the cherry as you remove it from the tree.
Our cherries are grown with love so that you can enjoy them! Be sure to check our Farm News for information on when the cherries will be available. Also, while you’re here, be sure to enjoy some of our other amenities, like our ice cream stand, Mary’s Country Kitchen for baked goods, and even our food truck.