Recently I had the opportunity to go cherry picking in British Columbia.  It was a phenomenal experience with family and experiencing the climate and landscape of the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia.  In the Kelowna region, the growing season is longer compared to other areas and is well known for the longest cherry season due to its favorable climate.  We picked a smaller local farm that has fewer visitors.  Usually in the summer, the area is flooded with tourists.  Previously I’ve had the opportunity to pick apples and apricots, however this year, we decided to change things up and try for a cherry-picking experience.

The best time to go cherry picking is usually throughout July or Early August depending on the weather.  In the previous year, the cherry-picking season was impacted by the wildfires which played a large role in the loss of local agriculture in Kelowna.  This year, fortunately, the weather has been cooperative, and the orchards have opened their gates to the public earlier on.

Why go pick your own when you can purchase from the grocery store?  I find spending half a day in the orchard makes you appreciate the food we eat every day.  It also makes you appreciate the effort the local producers expend to maintain a large orchard.  When purchased from the store, I find that many cherries are not as sweet as the Okanagan cherries.  The perfect mix of the hot, dry climate makes the cherries taste like candy that melt in the mouth.  If you’re not able to finish eating the entire batch of your pickings, you can also use them to make jams and desserts.

The experience as a whole is fantastic for children and families.  I enjoyed the time spent admiring the blue sky and standing under the shade of the trees.  The weather was incredibly hot this year at 35 degrees Celsius when we arrived.  It is an immersive experience as you wander through the rows of cherry trees with bright, glowing fruit.  Moreover, I can sample the best cherries straight from the tree which is a bonus as we harvest away with our steel buckets.

Tips for picking the perfect cherry:

• Timing is key: visiting the orchard early in the morning helps you avoid crowds and heat. We arrived at the orchard around 9 am and the air was not yet hot and stale.  The entire family enjoyed the experience more and also the area was not crowded with tourists.
• Looking for ripe cherries: Over the course of the morning, we found the best cherries were firm, plump and usually dark red.
• Bringing the essentials: If you are planning to spend half a day of cherry picking, make sure you wear SPF or sun protective clothing. Comfortable shoes are a must as you wander through a large expanse of land.