Around The County
Yes, There Are Cherries In Door County This Year
By Outside Contributor
Jul 15, 2008 - 5:22:43 PM

Great looking cherries!

Although weather conditions have taken their toll on this year’s fresh cherry crop, The Wisconsin Cherry Growers Association, headquartered in Door County, would like to inform residents and visitors alike that there will be cherries available for sale this summer.

“There are definitely cherries,” assured Jim Seaquist, owner of Seaquist Orchards located in Sister Bay.  “However, fresh cherries will be limited with higher concentrations in Northern Door County where the weather wasn’t as severe.  The Pick Your Own availability will be small, but there will be fresh cherries in the markets.  There are 2 or 3 growers in Northern Door that will be doing some limited harvesting.”

Bob Lautenbach, owner of Lautenbach’s Orchard in Fish Creek, explained how growers are pulling together to get through these tough times.  “This year, instead of shipping out cherries, all of the growers in the county have agreed to work together to distribute what fresh cherries will be harvested, throughout the county.”

Although summer is typically fresh cherry season, canned cherries, frozen cherries, dried cherries and cherry juice - preserved at the peak of goodness - are all available year-round for use in favorite recipes. Tart cherries, such as the Montmorency found in orchards across Door County, can be used in a variety of mouth-watering recipes.

Cherry stand in Brussels

“Visitors to the county will still be able to enjoy their cherry pie,” added Norb Grenchik, of Rocky Ridge Orchards in Baileys Harbor.  “Because of last year’s surplus, there are still plenty of cherries that have been frozen or canned for use in this year’s recipes.”

Fresh cherries, in limited quantities will be available by the weekend of July 25 in Northern Door County.  This year’s growing season will last approximately 3-4 weeks.  As always, please call ahead to check on availability before visiting your favorite orchard.  

To find a list of cherry orchards in Door County, visit www.wisconsincherries.org.