Raker's Cherry Orchard
Charlevoix, MI
At a glance
- Address
- 041 Richardson Rd., Charlevoix, MI 49720
- Activities
- 🍎 Apples🍑 Peaches and cherries
- Phone
- (231) 547-8997
- Typical season
- Aug to Oct (apples, varies by farm)
- Listing updated
- Feb 2024
- Contact details from
- USDA Local Food Directories
- County
- Charlevoix County, MI
- Hardiness zone
- USDA zone 6a
- Source
- USDA Local Food Directories
Picking weather
National Weather ServiceLoading the forecast…
Weather only. It does not tell you whether the farm is open, so check hours with the farm.
Make a day of it
- Public restroom 1.9 mi
- Gas station 5.9 mi
- EV charger 6.5 mi
- 1 place to eat within 5 mi Friske's Farm Market and Cafe
Farmers markets nearby
- Charlevoix Farmers Market Charlevoix · 8.7 mi
- Northport Farmers Market Northport · 13.9 mi · takes SNAP
CSA farm shares nearby
- Providence Organic Farm 7.1 mi
Open in Apple Maps · Google Maps directions
Nearby places from OpenStreetMap (straight-line distance). Markets and CSAs from the USDA Local Food Directories.
Weather here in a typical year
Nov here: highs around 45°F, lows around 34°F, about 2.8 in of rain, 9.4 hours of daylight.
- 🌱 Last spring frostMay 1
- 🍂 First fall frostOct 28
- ☀️ Frost-free season178 days
- 🧭 Hardiness zone6a
NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Charlevoix, MI station (8.6 mi); USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 (USDA-ARS, Oregon State University PRISM). Averages, not a forecast. Crops ripen earlier after warm springs.
What you can pick here
- ApplesAug to Oct
- Peaches and cherriesJun to Aug
Typical US ranges from extension service crop calendars, not this farm's own dates. Seasons shift by region and weather, so check with the farm.
Before you go
- Check that it is open. Call the farm: hours and crops change with the weather.
- Bring cash and a card. Some farms take only one.
- Water, sun protection and closed-toe shoes.
- A bag or box for the ride home, if the farm allows your own
- Comfortable shoes for orchard rows
- Hand wipes
- Sunscreen and a hat
- A cooler for the drive home
- Shallow containers so fruit does not bruise, if allowed
- Ask about pets before you bring a dog.
More tips: your first u-pick visit.
How to pick like a pro
- Is it ripe?
Ripe apples come off with a gentle lift and twist. If you have to yank, it is not ready. Background color shifts from green to yellow or cream.
- How to pick
Lift the apple up and twist; do not pull straight down or shake the branch. Leave the stem on. Set apples in the bag, do not drop them, because bruises spread.
- Best time to go
Weekday mornings. Weekend afternoons in late September and October are the busiest.
- Keep it fresh
Refrigerate; most varieties keep for weeks. Keep away from bananas and greens, because apples release ethylene.
Farm country: Charlevoix County
Charlevoix County had 209 farms in the latest USDA Census of Agriculture (2022). Of those, 39 sold food straight to the public and 10 earned money from agritourism like u-pick and tours.
- 254 acres of apples
- 22 acres of sweet cherries
- 667 acres of tart cherries #9 of 28 counties in MI
USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2022 Census of Agriculture. Some county numbers are withheld to protect individual farms.
Check hours before you go. Listings come from public directories and many were last updated in 2024.
Farms nearby
Farms in Michigan · Apple orchards everywhere
Plan your trip
Questions about Raker's Cherry Orchard
Is Raker's Cherry Orchard open today?
We do not track live hours. Call the farm at (231) 547-8997 before you go. Our listing comes from public directories and was last updated Feb 2024.
When is the season at Raker's Cherry Orchard?
Apples typically run Aug to Oct in much of the US. Exact dates depend on the farm, the region and the weather, so confirm with the farm.
Where is Raker's Cherry Orchard?
The listing gives the address as 041 Richardson Rd., Charlevoix, MI 49720. Use the Directions button for turn-by-turn directions.
Can I bring my dog to Raker's Cherry Orchard?
Pet rules vary by farm and by field. Many u-pick farms do not allow dogs in picking areas for food safety. Ask the farm before you go.
Is this listing wrong?
Farms can fix or claim a listing for free on our add or claim your farm page.