Summer time is cherry picking season in Michigan. Not just anywhere in Michigan, though. Head on up to the 45th parallel where the climate is optimal for growing cherry goodness. Right around the 4th of July, our cherry orchards start showing off bright yellow, red and plum colored gems.
This summer fruit is much more than a blast of bright colors. It’s a flavor fiesta and a Pure Michigan experience! It’s a real treat to photograph them too. We just have to be careful not to eat our berry-luscious subjects.
This week’s adventure? Cherry picking at Hallstedt Homestead Cherries right near my home town of Northport, Michigan. Part of their vision?
“We want to provide an orchard where others can create strong memories of sharing a bowl of cherries on a summer evening, track the progress of the orchard over a season, or even stop by and pick a handful of this amazing fruit right from the tree.“
Hallstedt Homestead
From our perspective, their goal is achieved. My dad fulfilled a bucket list check item. Picking cherries at the young age of 90+ something.
Cherry Picking Season in Michigan: A Delicious Destination
The family story and evolution of the Hallstedt Homestead farm ties in with what makes Leelanau County and Northport so special. People fall in love with this area, the land and see the potential of creating something inviting and memorable.
The first farm planting of trees started in 2010. Today, it brims with over 9800 cherry trees! The orchard grows 8 varieties that peak at different times during cherry picking season in Michigan. The names? Regina, Attika, Ebony Pearl, Sweetheart, Ulster, White Gold and Cavalier.
Depending on when you go determines which ones you’ll pick directly from the tree. Hallstedt’s robust, power punched cherries are within arms reach. My dad, hubby and I walked to the trees to fill our cherry-red buckets.
Throughout the orchards laughter of families and kids echoes as we inspect, select and pick our cherries.
After picking our cherries, they guide us to their cherry dunking bath. The bath is for the cherries – not humans. Then, its down their driveway through the orchards and their colorful, u-Pick flower gardens to head home. Another moment of hearing voices and laughter drift through a garden of yellows, purples, pinks and whites.
On a side note, they sell honey too. If you can’t make it to cherry picking season in Michigan, they offer direct shipping during the season.
For other travel locations: Silver Lake State Park: Camping, Hiking and Beautiful Light and Aperture and Light Travels
