FAQ

Regenerative Farming

  • Our fruit is regeneratively grown, meaning we farm in a way that builds soil health, supports pollinators, and protects the land for future harvests. Regenerative farming goes beyond conventional and organic farming by restoring the soil and ecosystem. For you, this means enjoying fruit with better flavor and nutrition while supporting farming practices that heal the land.

  • Cherrywood Orchard is Regenerative Verified through SoilRegen. Their two-step process includes certified soil testing to confirm soil biology and organic matter are improving, along with production management verification to ensure our practices build living soil rather than deplete it. To our knowledge, Cherrywood Orchard is the first regeneratively verified Flathead cherry orchard around Flathead Lake, achieving verification in May 2025.

  • We take a holistic approach to soil health, plant nutrition, and pest management. Based on detailed soil test results, we plant a diverse cover crop mix, including annual ryegrass, daikon radish, crimson clover, and white clover. This mix not only helps prevent erosion and improve soil structure but also naturally adds nitrogen and other nutrients back into the soil, supporting the health and vigor of our fruit trees.

    We supplement the soil with compost and natural amendments such as algae, worm castings, and chicken manure, while cutting back on synthetic fertilizers and eliminating herbicides entirely. Watering is done deeply but infrequently to encourage strong, resilient root systems that can access nutrients more effectively. When treatments are necessary, we rely only on OMRI-listed products approved for organic production.

    To encourage natural pest control, we’ve installed bird boxes and a bat box, inviting insect-eating wildlife into the orchard to help manage pests naturally. Additionally, bee boxes have been added to enhance pollination, supporting both our fruit trees and our cover crops, which in turn improves yields and biodiversity across the orchard ecosystem.

  • Regenerative and organic farming share similarities, but they are not the same. Organic farming focuses on avoiding synthetic inputs to meet certification standards. While it prioritizes natural inputs, it does not inherently emphasize soil health or ecosystem restoration, so the nutrient density of the produce can vary.

    Regenerative agriculture, on the other hand, goes further. It actively works to improve soil health, enhance biodiversity, and restore ecosystems. Regenerative practices increase microbial activity and mineral content in the soil, leading to more nutrient-dense food. It also often reduces reliance on synthetic nitrogen over time, aiming for long-term sustainability. Studies, such as those from the Rodale Institute, show regeneratively grown crops can contain higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants than those grown conventionally or even organically. For example, vegetables from regenerative systems often have elevated levels of micronutrients like zinc and iron, thanks to healthier, microbe-rich soils.


    Conventional → Organic → Regenerative
    Organic food is far better than conventional because it eliminates synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides — and that alone is a huge step forward. However, organic farming does not necessarily focus on the nutritional quality of the food itself. It removes the chemicals but doesn’t directly address how to make produce more nutrient-dense and nutritious. Regenerative farming takes that next step by building soil health through increased microbial activity and mineral availability. Healthier, microbe-rich soils allow plants to access and uptake more nutrients, resulting in produce with higher nutritional value. Unlike organic, regenerative does not always completely rule out the use of synthetic nitrogen, but the goal is to steadily reduce and eventually eliminate reliance on it. When organic and regenerative practices are combined, the result is regenerative organic — the gold standard. That’s exactly what we are working toward at Cherrywood Orchard. Nourished Soil = More Nutritious Food = Healthier People.

Flathead Cherries

  • Cherrywood Orchard offers U-Pick cherries from mid to late July. Visitors can enjoy the views of the Mission Mountains while picking fresh Flathead Skeena cherries straight from the tree. We’re just two minutes from Yellow Bay State Park, so after picking, you can head down to the lake and enjoy the water. Book your U-Pick experience on our website.

  • Flathead cherries are harvested once a year from late July through early August. At Cherrywood Orchard, we grow the Skeena variety, which ripens later than some other Flathead varieties but is not the very latest harvest.

  • Flathead cherries are sweet red cherries grown in the unique climate around Flathead Lake, Montana. The cool nights and warm days create ideal conditions for producing large, flavorful fruit. While several varieties thrive in the region, Cherrywood Orchard specializes in Skeena cherries, which are known for their size, sweetness, and deep flavor.

Shipping & Refunds

  • We currently ship only Flathead Skeena cherries and Italian plums. Skeena cherries are among the best cherry varieties for shipping—they have firm skin and hold up incredibly well. When properly stored and refrigerated, they have a long shelf life and can last up to three weeks once you receive them.

  • All cherry orders are pre-orders for the upcoming harvest. Many customers mistakenly expect cherries to be available year-round, but cherries are only harvested once each summer. When you place an order, you are reserving fruit from the next crop, which is picked, packed, and shipped between late July and early August. Once your order leaves the orchard, you’ll receive a shipping notification with tracking information.

  • Cherry harvest begins in late July, and all pre-orders are shipped by early August. To ensure freshness, we ship only Monday through Wednesday so that deliveries arrive within one to two days after leaving the orchard. UPS shipping costs are calculated at checkout.

  • Orders are available in five- or seven-pound boxes of premium Flathead Skeena cherries. The fruit is pre-chilled and packed in insulated boxes with cold packs to preserve freshness during transit.

  • Yes. We deliver to the contiguous 48 states, excluding California, via UPS Next Day Air or 2nd Day Air. For Montana residents, we offer a discounted in-state shipping option.

  • Cherry orders and orders for other seasonal fruit can be canceled up to two weeks before harvest for a full refund. After that point, cancellations are not guaranteed since fresh fruit is perishable and harvest planning depends on pre-orders. If we are unable to fulfill your order due to crop loss or unforeseen circumstances, you will receive a full refund.

Know Before You Buy

  • Spraying often gets a bad reputation, with many people assuming it automatically means toxic chemicals. In reality, not all sprays are harmful. At Cherrywood Orchard, we use natural foliar products — like algae — to help our trees thrive and support healthy growth. Foliar sprays are one of the most effective and efficient ways for plants to absorb nutrients quickly. With our short growing season, providing trees with the right nutrients in a timely way is essential, and foliar feeding helps us make the most of that window.

    Now, let’s get down to brass tacks: under a Montana state law, Flathead and Lake Counties established a pest management area around Flathead Lake that extends two miles in every direction. This law is designed to protect the Montana flathead cherry industry and requires control of the Western cherry fruit fly. Spraying is the only effective way to manage this pest, and all Flathead cherry orchards are sprayed—no exceptions.

    For fruit fly sprays, there are two options: a synthetic version and an OMRI-listed version approved for organic production. At Cherrywood Orchard, we choose the OMRI-listed option—the same product used by certified organic orchards. It’s important to note that even organic Flathead cherry orchards use OMRI-listed sprays. OMRI, the Organic Materials Review Institute, is a non-profit organization that evaluates products to ensure they meet organic standards, helping producers identify materials suitable for organic operations. By using OMRI-listed products, we follow the law and industry best practices while keeping our practices as safe and natural as possible.