How to grow cherry
Overview
Cherry (Prunus avium) is a traditional deciduous orchard fruit grown for its spring blossom and summer harvest. It requires a period of winter chill and cross-pollination from a compatible variety to set fruit.
Varieties
- Stella — Self-fertile, reliable cropper with dark red fruit; ideal for small gardens.
- Lapins — Large, sweet, dark fruit; self-fertile and crack-resistant.
- Bing — Classic sweet cherry; requires a pollinator like Van or Stella.
- Van — Good pollinator for many varieties; produces medium-sized, dark fruit.
Soil Preparation
Prefers deep, well-drained loam with pH 6.0–7.0. Incorporate well-rotted manure or compost before planting. Avoid heavy clay or waterlogged sites; raise beds if necessary.
Growing Guide
Plant cherry in a sunny, well-drained position with shelter from strong winds. Space standard trees 6–8 m apart; dwarf types 3–4 m. Dig a hole twice the root ball width, backfill with compost, and stake for the first year. Water deeply weekly in dry spells. Mulch to 10 cm depth but keep clear of the trunk.
Sowing
Cherry is not commonly grown from seed in home gardens; most are grafted. If sowing, stratify seeds for 90 days at 4°C, then sow 2 cm deep in autumn. Germination takes 6–12 weeks.
Care
Feed in early spring with a balanced fruit tree fertiliser (10:10:10) and again post-harvest. Prune in winter to an open vase or central leader shape, removing dead wood and crossing branches. Thin fruit clusters to 1 per 10 cm of branch to improve size.
Companion Planting
Underplant with comfrey, chives, or tansy to deter aphids. Avoid planting near walnut trees (juglone toxicity) or in grass that competes for moisture.
Common Pests & Risks
Cherry slug (sawfly larvae) causes skeletonised leaves; control with horticultural oil or spinosad. Birds net the canopy before fruit ripens. Fruit fly requires baiting with protein-based lures in warmer zones.
Harvesting
Harvest when fruit is fully coloured and yields slightly to a gentle pull, usually 7–14 days after colour change. Pick with stems attached to prolong storage. Refrigerate immediately.
In the Kitchen
Use fresh in salads, desserts, or preserves. Store unwashed in a paper bag in the fridge for up to 5 days. Freeze pitted cherries for later use.
Troubleshooting
Blossom drop: caused by frost or poor pollination; plant a compatible pollinator. Cracking: due to rain after dry spell; water consistently and choose crack-resistant varieties. Leaf curl: fungal disease; apply copper spray in winter. Poor fruit set: lack of chill or wrong pollinator.