National Cherry Month

February is National Cherry Month. Cherries tend to have a very short growing season and are ready to be picked in the summer months. These sweet fruits are grown throughout the world. Some of the best cherry orchards are located in the United States.

Fun facts about cherries:

-There are about 7,000 cherries on a cherry tree.

-The amount of cherries on one tree can make about 30 cherry pies.

-In order for cherries to grow, cherry blossoms need bees to pollinate them.

-Of all the countries, Turkey produces the most cherries in the world and the United States comes in second.

Where to visit a cherry orchard:

• Door County, Wisconsin

Each year Door County produces the most cherries throughout Wisconsin. There are over 50 orchards in the area. Not only is Door Country known for its cherries, but for its wineries and farm fresh markets as well. It’s a great place for travelers to visit because the locals are very friendly and the destination is absolutely gorgeous.

• San Joaquin County

There are approximately 40,000 acres of cherry trees throughout California. San Joaquin County grows about 62% of all the cherries in the state of California. In addition to cherry picking, visitors can take part in the numerous cultural experiences in one of the 7 cities that call San Joaquin home. The Haggin Museum or The San Joaquin County Historical Museum are great places for travelers to visit. For the kids there’s the Pixie Woods Amusement Park which is located in Stockton.

• Washington D.C.

There are numerous cherry trees located in Washington D.C. Cherries are so popular in this area in fact they even have a yearly celebration called The National Cherry Blossom Festival. This festival commemorates the blooming of the cherry trees. It is held from March 20 to April 14 this year. There are many places where visitors can pick cherries themselves in the suburbs of Washington D.C.

Since cherries aren’t ready to be harvested until at least June, you still have plenty of time to plan a trip to an orchard. Until then, why don’t you make a cherry pie to share with your family and celebrate National Cherry Month?

Here’s an easy recipe:

Ingredients:

-         2 ready-made pie crusts

-         2 teaspoons of sugar

-         2 cans of cherry pie filling

-         1 tablespoon of water

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease the bottom of a pie pan and place one of the pie crusts in it. Gently push the pie crust against the bottom and sides of the pan. Pour in the cans of cherry pie filling. Place the other pie crust on top of the filling. Squeeze the edges of the pie crust against the top edge of the pan.  Brush the top pie crust with one tablespoon of water. Sprinkle the sugar over top of the pie crust. Cut two slit in the top of the pie. Bake in the oven for about 45 minutes. You will know the pie is done when a little bit of pie filling bubbles out of the top. Remove the pie and let it sit for about 20 minutes before serving.