How to grow cherries easily for amazing summer cherry recipes
There is something so fun about popping a whole cherry in your mouth! That luscious burst of flavor as you bite through is just so satisfying and pleasing. Before you know it, you have eaten a whole bowl!
I love the idea of picking and eating cherries straight from the tree, and Ava enjoys them just as much. And the fact that there are so many yummy and interesting recipes you can make with this yummy (and gorgeous) fruit is exciting!
We have three cherry trees on our grounds, but unfortunately, they are not producing as well as I would have liked them to. We. had a late frost that killed a lot of our blossoms, unfortunately
Our weather can be tricky here in Zone 7b. It’s not guaranteed, and many times a late frost has killed a lot of our fruit tree blossoms.
Let’s talk a little more about how to grow cherries, shall we?
ALL ABOUT CHERRIES
There are more than 1000 varieties of cherries in Northern America, with Washington, California, and Oregon accounting for about 84% of the nationwide production.
Cherries are classified as stone fruit and are derived from two different species, namely the sweet cherry (Prunus avium) and sour/tart cherry (Prunus cerasus).
Sweet cherries
They are the kind that you would pop fresh into your mouth and eat buckets full of! They are naturally high in sugar and have low acids. Sweet cherries are best for orchids or large gardens because they need ample space to grow. They are most successful in hardiness zones 5 - 8 as they need temperate climates to grow well and produce large yields.
Sour cherries
Due to their low sugar content and higher acidity, they are not really eaten raw but are mainly used for baking and making preserves and sauces. Sour cherries are smaller and need less space to grow. They can be grown successfully in hardiness zones 4-6 as they are more resilient to colder temps.
Oregon and California produce 97% of the sweet cherry varieties, and Michigan is the top state for sour/tart cherries. This gives you a good idea of the type of climates and zones these cherries thrive in.
Cherry Varieties
Rainier
With their high sugar levels, Rainier cherries have a distinctive sweet flavor and are perfect for eating fresh. They are heart-shaped with pink/red blush on a yellow background and have yellow-colored flesh. They are very firm and finely textured. Rainier trees ripen later and will yield fruit from late June through July. Excellent for zone 5-8, and often zone 9 also. Rainier cherry trees pollinate with Montmorency, Stella, Lambert, and other mid-season varieties.
Bing
The most commercially sold cherries. They are of medium size with a dark red color skin and flesh. Bing cherries are firm, sweet, flavorful, and crunchy. They will produce fruit early to mid-season (late June) in zones 5-8. In cooler zones, they may yield fruit into July. The tree needs another cherry tree as a pollinating partner, such as Rainier or Montmorency.
Chelan
Another sweet variety with a mild flavor and sugar content. It has light to deep mahogany red skin and firm flesh. They yield fruit about two weeks earlier than the Bing variety and are hardy to zone 5. Chelan needs a pollinating partner. Ideal selections are Index, Rainier, Lapins, Sweetheart, and Bing.
Sweetheart
With their distinct heart-like shape and bright red skin, Sweetheart cherries are one of the easiest varieties to grow. They have a super-sweet, mildly tart flavor and are slightly aromatic. They grow well in zones 5-7 and ripen late in the season, about 20 days after Bing cherries. Sweetheart cherry trees are self-pollinating, so it isn't necessary to plant another cherry tree nearby.
Montmorency
The most popular choice for sour/ tart cherries. A cold-hardy variety that thrives in zones 4-7. It is a medium-large light red fruit with firm yellow flesh, clear juice, and a rich, tart, tangy flavor, perfect for jams and sauces. Montmorency cherries ripen in late June, and it is self-fertile, so not necessary to have other trees around.
Morello
Morello cherries are quite sour and not so great for eating, but work fantastic for baking and cooking. The skin is very dark red to almost black, with dark red flesh. They are smaller than your typical cherry and can produce a large yield. Hardiness zones 4-9 are ideal, and they ripen very late in the cherry season. Morello cherries do not need other species nearby to produce fruit.
HOW TO GROW AND CARE FOR CHERRY TREES
You need some patience when planting cherry trees as they need to establish themselves properly in the ground before they produce fruit. This can take up to 3-5 years, so you better start planting now!
Soil
Sweet Cherry trees need about 35-40 feet, and tart cherry trees need 20 -25 feet of space between each other, so keep this in mind when planting. Plant cherry trees early in Spring or late Fall when the ground is soft and has a higher moisture content.
Healthy soil that drains well is critical for successful fruiting. Dig deep and wide enough holes for the root system to have enough space to grow. If you have rocky or clay-like soil, you might have a problem.
Sour varieties prefer a pH level of 6 - 7, and sweet varieties 6.3 - 7.2. Apply mulch around your trees to protect the soil, keep in moisture, and minimalize weeds and pests.
Sun and Temps
The trees would need at least 8 hours of full sun to yield tasty, healthy fruit. In very hot Southern growing zones, some afternoon shade could be beneficial.
Like apple, pear, and peach trees (READ HERE how we grow and care for our peach trees), cherry trees need 700 - 900 hours of chill or temps below 45 degrees Fahrenheit to produce maximum yield. Sweet cherry varieties prefer mild temps and low humidity, whereas sour types are colder resistant.
Water
When you plant the trees, wet your soil properly to set the soil and roots. After this, 1 inch of water per week is adequate for your trees, don't overwater the soil and roots. Drier roots will ensure a healthier tree and yield.
Feed
Cherries are low feeders, so you can supplement them with low-nitrogen fertilizer or general-purpose fertilizer once a year before the flowers bloom. I would recommend topping with a light dressing of compost two times per year.
Pruning
We only prune two times a year. Early Spring before budding, but after the last cold snaps. And late summer when fruiting has ended. In early Spring, we will cut back aggressively, removing limps and large branches. This allows for a few strong branches to carry the weight of the fruit. In late Summer, we only thin out the canopy to increase air circulation and prevent fungal infections.
Pests & Diseases
Like with all fruit trees, you may find yourself battling diseases, pests, and birds. Keep an eye out for aphids, Japanese beetles, caterpillars, borers, and the cherry fruit fly. Treat these as soon as possible with applicable organic pesticides and treatments such as Neem oil or an organic bug spray.
You should also watch out for fungus, mildew, rot, and bacterial canker. Horticultural oil is good for removing most plant ailments, while copper fungicide is an excellent organic method for taking care of fungal issues and various rot cases.
Harvesting
This happens between May and August, depending on your region and variety. Mature cherry trees can yield up to 30 - 50 quarts of fruit each year. That is a lot!
The sugar content rises significantly right before they are fully ripe, so be patient. They should be firm, tender, juicy, and colorful according to their variety when you pick them. Cut them with scissors rather than handpicking, and store them in the fridge immediately with their stems attached.
My favorite cherries are Rainier cherries! So sweet and crunchy! Jared especially loves them and is known to eat an entire bowl of them in one sitting. They are just that delicious!
I hope this post has given you a bit more info on how to grow cherries!
Here is a delicious recipe you can try: Rainier cherry almond cupcake
If you’re looking for information on growing other fruits, take a look at these:
How to grow delicious strawberries
Much love,
Annette