Orchards Near Me
Cherry Picking Near Dover: What You Need to Know
Delaware's orchard scene includes a modest amount of cherry production, particularly in the northern tier of the state near the Pennsylvania border where the climate is slightly cooler and more amenable to stone fruits. Cherry picking options are limited compared to neighboring states, but the orchards that do grow cherries typically offer the experience alongside their larger apple operations, making it easy to combine both in a single visit.
Mid-Atlantic Cherry Season
The mid-Atlantic states offer some of the best cherry picking access on the East Coast, with the orchards of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, Maryland's western counties, New Jersey's Hunterdon County, and Pennsylvania's Adams County all growing sweet and sour cherries that support pick-your-own programs in late May and June. The cherry harvest in this region precedes the apple season by several months, providing an early-summer reason to visit the same orchard country that draws apple pickers each fall. Virginia's Shenandoah Valley is particularly notable for its cherry production, with the orchards around Winchester producing sweet varieties that rival anything grown in the Pacific Northwest for quality and flavor.
Best Time to Go Cherry Picking Near Dover
Late May through June for the limited cherry operations near the Pennsylvania border, with the season aligning closely with neighboring Maryland's.
Tips for Your Dover Cherry Picking Trip
Delaware's cherry picking options require some research to find, but the farms in northern Delaware that grow cherries tend to communicate picking days through local social media and farm websites. Going when they announce readiness rather than planning too far ahead ensures you find cherries at peak ripeness rather than past their best.