Cherry picking in the Free State

Spring at the Ionia Cherry Farm between Fouriesburg and Ficksburg is a season of promise, according to one of the directors, Frieda Kruger. “The whole world around us is in bloom and the air smells like fresh beginnings – it’s like a fairytale!”

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Pruning and soil preparation start in winter, and by late spring, the orchards are abundant with cherries. Harvesting starts at the end of October and usually runs until early December. It’s a busy few weeks, because Ionia also receives countless visitors for the farm’s popular picking tours.

“Our guests hop onto a small tour trailer for an outing to the orchards. On route, they learn about Ionia’s history and cultivars,” says Frieda. “Visitors pick and taste cherries, and are able to take a filled container home with them. We also serve fresh cherry juice in the orchards – it’s the flavour of the season.”

The third and fourth weeks of picking season, when the fruit are at their tastiest and juiciest, are usually the highlights. This is when the farm hosts its annual family fun day: the Cherry Crop Celebration.