Massachusetts: Here’s Why You Can’t Pick Cherries This Season

Even though it was a mild winter here in New England, there was a stretch of freezing days that unfortunately had a negative impact. The early February frigid temperatures resulted in many damaged crops for local farms. In Massachusetts, for example, this has affected cherries.

As MassLive points out, it goes beyond cherries. Peaches and plums were also lost as the negative temperatures caused severe conditions for stone fruit. Furthermore, there was an overnight freeze in May, (yes, in the spring) that caused a Western Massachusetts blueberry farm to lose 80% of its blueberries.

Many of the aforementioned fruits take months to prepare and grow to be ripe and available on these farms. A deep freeze as intense as the two we experienced earlier this year cause a ruin that can not be overcome in the short amount of time that leads into the warmer weather months. Some local farms are moving on, looking forward, and have their sights set on the 2024 season already.

Farmer's Almanac points out that cherry trees are planted in the late spring or early fall. The ground has to be soft with high moisture. Whether you are growing sweet or sour cherries, the care will be the same.

The Washington Post did a study on this topic back in 2017. In this, they detail, "Once budding cherry blossoms are exposed to temperatures below 27 degrees for a half-hour, 10 percent can be damaged. Sustained colder weather over multiple days can leave 90 percent of those blossoms so damaged that they will not bloom."

The first weekend of February saw record-breaking numbers. It dipped to -8 degrees to -10 Fahrenheit over that first weekend.

Mass.gov does detail in-state locations where you can pick your own fruit. In addition, many of these local farms in Massachusetts where you can't pick cherries this season are offering suggestions on how customers can be of support.

Today is national wine day. To celebrate, we'll highlight three Massachusetts wine establishments you need to know about.

In Boston, there are plenty of options to indulge in your wine cravings. Whether it is pairing your favorite glass with a delicious meal in the North End or frequenting one the best wine bars. Rooftop gatherings are also popular wine spots. With the weather warming up, the city provides an excellent backdrop for a few sips at golden hour.

Furthermore, there are numerous wineries in Massachusetts. Some of these small businesses, like Nantucket Vineyard (Cisco), distribute throughout the New England region, while others remain local to New England only. Massachusetts is also the home state of operations like the Boston Showcase Company. They have a long history of designing and distributing products like wine glasses to restaurants in bulk.

In addition, it has become common for wine to be available at stadium events. Fenway Park, TD Garden, Gillette Stadium and all major concert venues offer a wine variation at their ticketed events.

Earlier this year, Forbes published a detailed report on the positive projections for the wine industry in 2023. "U.S. Wine Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Project,” sales of wine (domestic and imported) topped $66.97 billion, with table wines dominating, followed by sparkling wines (most domestic), whose projected sales will rise 7.7% from 2022 to 2030 and the U.S. wine market size is expected to reach USD 115.03 billion by 2030," the article quotes.

You can locally partake in national wine day in various ways. Options include simply uncorking your favorite bottle at home, venturing out to a winery, or simply showing your support through ordering online.

In our list highlighting Massachusetts wine establishments to know about, we touch upon three different fields.

Located on Cape Cod between the bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Truro Vineyard opened under new ownership in 2007. They are family-owned and operated. The vineyard itself dates back to 1992, however. They produce and offer four different red wines and three white wines. They have a lighthouse wine series, plus special seasonal releases. You can visit Truro Vineyard seven days a week.

"Located in Boston, the Urban Grape is one of the most successful and award-winning wine stores in America. UG is a Black-owned and woman-owned small business dedicated to building community through beverage," their website states. They offer a popular wine club, all run out of their Boston location. The wine club comes with a monthly subscription option, where numerous select bottles are shipped right to you. The Urban Grape also has a connoisseur club option for those looking for a deeper knowledge of higher-end wines.

City Winery perfectly combines a love of wine with entertainment. This restaurant also serves as a live music venue. They are part of the City Winery chain with similar establishments in other major cities (such as New York and Nashville). They source their grapes from over 30 vineyards around the world. Their food menu also is designed to pair well with the numerous wine options they pour onsite. The Boston City Winery is near the North End and TD Garden. They offer private events, tastings, and full service at their ticketed entertainment shows.