Seasons

Winter – Preparing the Trees
Cherry growing begins long before the first fruit appears. During winter, orchards around Cromwell and Central Otago enter dormancy as the trees respond to the region’s cold temperatures.

The cold winter period is important for cherry trees, helping them complete their natural dormancy requirements before spring growth begins. Orchardists use this quieter period for pruning, maintenance, orchard preparation and planning for the coming season.

Central Otago’s cold winters and relatively dry climate are an important part of what makes the region suitable for commercial cherry production.

Spring – Blossom and Pollination
As temperatures begin to rise in September and October, cherry trees emerge from dormancy and the orchards come alive with spring blossom.

Cherry blossom is one of the most noticeable signs that the new growing season has begun. Flowers need to be successfully pollinated before they can develop into fruit, making this a particularly important time in the orchard.

Spring weather can also bring challenges. Frost is a significant consideration for Central Otago growers, particularly when trees are in blossom or young fruit is beginning to develop. Orchardists carefully monitor temperatures and weather conditions during this period to protect the developing crop.

Early Summer – Fruit Development
Following flowering and pollination, small cherries begin to form. During October and November, the fruit gradually increases in size as the trees put energy into developing the crop.

Water management becomes particularly important during this stage. Central Otago’s naturally dry climate means irrigation is an essential part of commercial orchard management.
Growers also monitor the trees closely for pests, disease and other factors that can affect fruit quality. Maintaining healthy trees and a well-managed orchard throughout spring and early summer helps set the foundation for a successful harvest.

Summer – Cherry Harvest
For many people, summer is synonymous with Central Otago cherries.
Depending on the variety, location and conditions throughout the season, cherry harvest generally begins around December and continues through January.
Some early varieties can be ready before Christmas, while later varieties extend the season into January.

The combination of warm summer temperatures, long daylight hours and cool nights helps create the conditions Central Otago cherries are known for.

During harvest, timing is critical. Cherries need to be picked when they have reached the right balance of size, colour, firmness and flavour. Once picked, they are handled carefully to maintain their quality and freshness.
This is also one of the busiest times of year for Central Otago orchards, with picking, sorting, packing and distribution happening throughout the region.

Late Summer – Finishing the Crop
Once the main harvest has finished, orchard work continues.
Remaining fruit is harvested, trees are monitored and irrigation and nutrition are managed to maintain tree health. The leaves continue to photosynthesise, allowing the trees to store energy that will help support the following year’s growth and crop.

For growers, the end of harvest is not the end of the cherry season – it is already the beginning of preparation for the next one.

Autumn – Preparing for the Next Season
As temperatures begin to fall through March and April, cherry trees gradually move towards dormancy. Leaves change and eventually fall as the trees prepare for winter.
Autumn is an important period for orchard management. Growers assess the season’s results, maintain irrigation systems, manage orchard floors and prepare equipment and infrastructure for the following year.
By the time winter arrives, the cycle begins again.

Why Cromwell is Ideal for Cherries
Cromwell and the wider Central Otago region have a distinctive climate that makes the area particularly well suited to cherry production.

The region is known for:
– Cold winters that support the natural dormancy cycle of cherry trees
– Warm, dry summers
– Long daylight hours
– Cool nights
– Low annual rainfall
– Irrigation from Central Otago’s reliable water resources
– A relatively dry climate that can help with fruit quality and orchard management

The combination of these conditions gives Central Otago cherries their distinctive growing environment and has helped establish the region as an important producer of premium New Zealand cherries.

From Winter Dormancy to Summer Harvest
Growing cherries in Central Otago is a year-round process. While the fresh fruit may only appear in shops and roadside stalls for a relatively short period, producing that crop requires months of planning, orchard management and careful attention to the weather.

From the cold winters of Cromwell to the warm summer days of December and January, every season plays a part in producing the cherries that Central Otago is famous for.

For cherry growers, the next harvest starts as soon as the last one finishes.