When are cherries in season?
USDA's national outlook tracks the export-heavy Pacific Northwest sweet cherry crop, which peaks in June and July and tapers off in August. University of Illinois Extension's own local produce calendar, aimed at Illinois shoppers rather than growers, names June for both sweet and sour cherries in that state.
More than half of exports occur in June and July when harvest for this highly perishable fruit is at its peak.
with most volume concentrated in August when U.S. harvest season winds down
Applies to: United States nationally, sweet cherries
From USDA Economic Research Service, Fruit and Tree Nuts Outlook: July 2026 (FTS-385). Page read on 2026-09-28.
Sweet Cherries (June)
Sour Cherries (June)
Applies to: Illinois, as tracked by University of Illinois Extension's seasonal produce calendar
From University of Illinois Extension, What's In Season: A Guide to Illinois Fruits and Vegetables. Page read on 2026-09-28.
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This page is about when cherries are for sale, not when to plant or pick them at home — InSeasonChart does not cover planting or harvest timing. The national figure covers sweet cherries only; we have not found a solid, independently confirmed U.S. season window for sour (tart) cherries beyond the single Illinois line above, so we do not give sour cherries their own national range (see the method page).