Cherries
Beautiful blossom in spring followed by delicious, jewel-like fruit in summer. Sweet cherries are a delightful treat, while sour cherries are excellent for cooking.
Cherries (Dwarf tree)
£26.99 in the shop
Calendar
Sow
Typically grafted onto rootstock late winter/early spring, or plant bare-root trees November–March.
Plant out
November–March for bare-root trees; container-grown trees can be planted year-round, avoiding waterlogged or frozen soil.
Harvest
June – August, depending on variety.
Conditions
Sun
Full sun, 6+ hours a day, preferably a sheltered spot to protect early blossom.
Water
Keep young trees consistently moist. Established trees need extra water during dry periods, particularly when fruit is swelling.
Soil
Deep, fertile, well-drained loam, pH 6.0–7.0. Avoid waterlogging.
Spacing
Varies by rootstock: Gisela 5 (dwarf) 2.5–3.5m, Colt (semi-vigorous) 3.5–4.5m.
Containers
Dwarf rootstocks (Gisela 5) are suitable for large containers (min. 50cm diameter), with regular watering and feeding.
Indoors
Not suitable for indoor growing.
Care and harvest
Feeding
Apply a balanced general-purpose fertiliser in early spring; supplement with high potash feed for fruiting trees if growth is poor.
Pruning
Prune cherries in summer (late May – August) to reduce the risk of Silver Leaf disease. Remove dead/diseased wood and thin for light and air. Prune minimaly.
Harvesting
Pick when fruit is fully coloured, plump, and tastes sweet. Cherries do not ripen further once picked.
Storage
Best eaten fresh. Can be refrigerated for a few days. They also freeze well or can be made into preserves.
Good companions: Comfrey, Nasturtiums, Chives