About cherries

How to grow cherries

Everything you need to know to grow productive cherry trees at home, even in a small garden or pot.

Growing

3-5 years

Difficulty

Moderate

Cost

$$$$$$

Overview

Overview before growing cherries

Sunlight

At least 6-8 hours of direct sun per day for strong flowering and sweet fruit.

Water

Regular deep watering, especially in the first years and during dry spells, keeping soil evenly moist but never waterlogged.

Temperature

Best growth in temperate climates with cold winters for chilling and mild summers around 60-75°F (15-24°C).

Spacing

Space dwarf trees 8-10 ft (2.5-3 m) apart and larger trees 15-20 ft (4.5-6 m) apart for good airflow.

Cultivation time

Expect the first real harvest 3-5 years after planting a young grafted tree, with yields improving as the tree matures.

Required climate

Cherries prefer a temperate climate with winter chill, full sun, and well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil.

Plantation yield

Mature dwarf trees can give around 10-20 kg of fruit per tree, while larger trees can produce considerably more under good care.

Pot cultivation

Choose a self-fertile dwarf variety in a large container with rich, free-draining soil, full sun, regular watering, and annual pruning.

Growing requirements

What supplies do you need to grow cherries ?

Young grafted cherry tree of a suitable, preferably self-fertile variety
Required
Loamy, well-drained soil or quality fruit tree compost
Required
Balanced slow-release fertilizer or high-potassium fruit tree feed
Required
Mulch (compost, bark, or straw) to conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds
Required
Sturdy stake and soft ties to support young or top-heavy trees
Optional
pH test kit to keep soil slightly acidic to neutral (around 6.0-7.0)
Optional
Sharp pruning shears or loppers for training and removing dead or diseased wood
Optional
Bird netting or other wildlife protection to prevent damage to ripening fruit
Optional

Planting

How to plant cherries ?

Plantation calendar

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

Best time to plant

Still possible to plant

Not recommended

Planting cherries outside

1Choose a sunny, sheltered spot with well-drained soil and enough space for the mature tree size.
2Remove grass and weeds from the planting area, then dig a hole about twice as wide as the root system.
3Position the tree so the graft union sits a few inches above soil level, spreading the roots evenly.
4Backfill with native soil mixed with compost, gently firming to remove air pockets around the roots.
5Water deeply after planting and create a shallow basin to direct water into the root zone.
6Mulch around the base, keeping mulch a few inches away from the trunk, and stake the tree if it is exposed to wind.

Pro tip: Plant while the tree is dormant in cool weather, and avoid burying the graft union to keep grafted cherries true to their intended size and vigor.

Planting cherries inside

1Select a compact, self-fertile or dwarf cherry variety and a large container with generous drainage holes.
2Fill the pot with a high-quality, free-draining potting mix enriched with compost.
3Place the tree in the center with the graft union above the soil surface and the root flare at soil level.
4Backfill around the roots, firm the soil gently, and water thoroughly to settle everything in place.
5Position the container in full sun and rotate it occasionally so all sides receive even light.
6Monitor moisture often, watering when the top inch of soil feels dry, and renew mulch each season to reduce drying out.

Pro tip: Container-grown cherries dry out quickly and are more prone to stress, so maintain consistent watering and consider moving pots to a sheltered spot during heatwaves or severe cold.

Plant care

How to take care of cherries ?

Watering

Water deeply and consistently, especially in the first 2-3 years and during fruit swell, letting the topsoil dry slightly between waterings but never allowing prolonged drought or standing water.

Fertilizing

Feed in early spring with a balanced or high-potassium fruit tree fertilizer, then lightly top up during the growing season if growth is weak, avoiding heavy nitrogen that promotes leaves at the expense of blossom and fruit.

Pruning

Prune during late winter or in dry late summer to remove dead, diseased, crossing, or inward-growing branches and to shape an open, airy canopy that lets in light and reduces disease.

Harvesting

How to harvest cherries ?

Time

Most cherry varieties are ready from late spring to mid-summer, several years after planting once trees begin bearing regularly.

Signs

Fruit is fully colored for the variety, feels firm but juicy, tastes sweet or pleasantly tart, and comes away easily from the stem with a gentle lift.

Harvest cherries on a dry day by picking clusters or individual fruits with the stems attached, handling them gently to avoid bruising, then cool and store them promptly in a shallow container in the refrigerator or enjoy fresh soon after picking.

Problems & solutions

Common issues when growing cherries

Cherry leaf spot

Small purple or brown spots on leaves that turn yellow and drop prematurely.

Rake and destroy fallen leaves, prune to improve airflow, avoid overhead watering late in the day, and use resistant varieties and approved fungicides or organic sprays where the disease recurs regularly.

Brown rot

Blossoms and fruit rot, with brown patches and fuzzy tan spores on cherries.

Remove and dispose of all mummified fruit and infected twigs, thin fruit for better airflow, avoid injuring fruit, and apply suitable fungicidal or organic treatments at blossom time in areas prone to brown rot.

Bird damage

Ripening cherries pecked, missing, or scattered on the ground.

Protect trees with bird netting secured around the canopy, use visual or sound deterrents where appropriate, and consider growing compact trees you can easily cover before fruit begins to color.

Aphids

Clusters of soft insects on shoot tips and young leaves, causing curling and sticky honeydew.

Encourage beneficial insects such as ladybirds, wash small colonies off with water, and use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil when infestations become heavy and damage new growth.