Where else can you jump in your car, drive under 30 minutes and find yourself in the middle of the most laden cherry trees you’ve ever seen? Cherries that are bursting with sweetness and so juicy they give a sort of “pop” when you bite into them. Yesterday I went down to Beamsville (part of the greenbelt of Ontario) to see what all the fuss is about, when it comes to picking your own cherries. Whenever we do these sort of reviews we’re always reminded why we continue to call Ontario our home, when we could easily pack-up and head down to the islands.
I contacted Hildreth Farms a little over a week ago , since our readers were sending in requests for recommendations for picking your own fruit locally. We did Pick Your Own Strawberries At Murphy’s Country Produce a week ago, so this time we were looking for a cherry picking option. Kelly was very happy to allow us access to their farm to test drive this cherry picking experience.
As I drove up the dusty driveway towards the orchard I could see that it was a packed house, with a lot of cars in the parking area and a few families heading back to the their cars. Looking well filled and full baskets in their hands. The beauty of going to one of these pick your own farms, is the fact that you can get your fill and don’t have to pay for it (you only pay for what you take out). I could tell that the kids in the group heading to the mini van close to where I was parked, thoroughly enjoyed their outing, with red cheeks and lips and matching little red stained hands.
I was met by David Hildreth with a strong handshake and he introduced me to his sons who were working the stand where visitors would check in to get their baskets and learn the rules (basically no climbing of the trees, use the provided ladders and don’t break the branches). He explained a bit about the history of the farm which has been in the family for four generations and that it all started out being a strawberry farm, until his dad converted to cherries over 50 years ago.
We chat a bit about life as a farmer (much respect), how busy his days are and how involved everyone in the family were in regards to the farm. Probably one of the most friendly people I’ve met to date doing these reviews. He had a strong sense of pride in what they do and it showed in the wonderful and welcoming environment they make available to people who’d like to pick their own fruit.
From the pics above you can see that this can easily be a family day out, where young and old can not only experience picking cherries from an actual tree and not in a plastic bag in the grocery store, but take time to enjoy nature a bit. The natural setting is quite calming if you live a hectic life and just want to relax a bit. Between the cherry trees are well maintained and somewhat like a lawn… in the pics above you can see someone laying back and taking a nap. Not sure if this is allowed, but I can’t see why it won’t.
So how does this pick your own cherries work? Basically you grab a basket from the stall which you can purchase for a couple dollars or you can use the basket during picking, then get a plastic bag at the end to take your cherries home with you. The trees and fruit at within reach, but there are ladders scattered throughout the orchard that you can use (remember no climbing on the trees) to access the cherries that are out of reach. During picking, you have the option of eating as much as you want/can, but be warned that you can get a sore tummy from overeating. Take you time, stop and sit under the trees and enjoy the wonderful weather and serenity of the surrounding. When you’ve had your full, enjoyed the experience and your basket is overflowing with those lovely ruby red cherries, go back to the stall where you started and settle your bill. Those huge baskets you see in the pics above is $20 filled and I think it holds about 10lbs of cherries. But I’m sure if a group of you go, you’ll eat just as many as you’ll have in the basket.
Dave mentioned to me that there are several varieties of cherries in the orchard, since some of the trees are not self pollinating and depend on the others to produce fruit. Including some of the sour varieties which you may identify in the pictures above.
Pick Your Own Cherries at Hidreth Farms can be accessed at: Cherries-4685 Durham Road, Beamsville
The Farm Market (which I didn’t have time to cover) can be accessed at: 5529 Greenlane Road, Beamsville, Ontario
For full details on the farm, what’s in season and the market, visit the Hildreth Farms Website. Remember that the cherry picking is seasonal, so do check their website for current information. Don’t forget to wear sun block since you will be outdoors and do pack a bottle of water to rinse off the cherries before eating and to keep hydrated. Just wished I had a book and time as I would sit under one of these laden cherry trees and read for a bit.
Getting there:
I’d like to say special thanks to David and Kelly Hildreth and their wonderful sons who I met on my visit, for taking the time to meet with me and for allowing us permission onto their farm to do this piece. As with everything local, I strongly encourage everyone to plan a trip to Hildreth Farms in Beamsville (see google Maps above) for a fun time, capped off with succulent ruby red cherries.
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