The boys with their cherry haul, July 2009, Tukey Orchard
One of the best summer things to do here is to go fruit picking at Washington State University’s organic orchard, the R.B. Tukey Horticultural Orchard. Today was the first day of the year it was open for picking (strawberries) so I know summer is finally here!
Cherry picking
Look around campus for signs that say “WSU Fruit Sale” and you will know the orchard is allowing people to pick. You can also get on an e-mail list that will inform you of additional opportunities to pick – I think there are some times when there is not a lot of fruit, so they only send out an e-mail and do not post a sign.
My favorite time of year is cherry season (these photos are from cherry season last year). Any of the tree fruit picking days are excellent for kids, too. (Not so much with the berries, which are delicate.)
The fruit is amazing! It is organic, fresh, and really flavorful. It is generally priced at about the same or slightly less than you would pay for conventional fruit at Safeway.
The orchard is located by the Moscow-Pullman airport and Palouse Ridge golf course.
I should add a cautionary note – this afternoon my best companion has been a bowl of beautifully rosy strawberries that I have eaten…and eaten…and eaten… so good and so addictive.
I agree! We went through two pounds in a day. It was like eating sunshine!