If your soil is soggy, making a raised bed that is rich in compost is recommended. Sour cherries tolerate heavier soils better than sweet cherries. They will not thrive in cold, heavy, wet clay soils. Allow 12 feet for dwarf varieties 8 feet for Nanking cherries, unless you are planning a hedge 20 feet for sour cherries and 25 to 40 feet for sweet varieties.Ĭherries need well-drained soil with a pH between 5.5 and 8.0, ideal being 6.5. Like peaches, sweet cherries need your best protected spot and good air drainage. In the North, they may need all the warmth they can get. Because of sweet cherry’s early bloom, some people plant them on a northern slope. Cherries need full sun and south-facing slopes where possible. When choosing a site, avoid cold pockets or valleys. Now that we know what type of cherries you can grow, it’s time to focus on how to grow cherry trees. The purely ornamental flowering cherries bear no fruit. Nanking cherries (Prunus tomentosa) are 6 to 10-foot spreading bushes that bear beautiful pinkish-white blossoms and good tasting scarlet fruit, best for pies and preserving. Dwarf varieties are available, but inquire about the hardiness and vigor of the rootstock. Sweet cherry trees can get 25 to 30 feet tall, if not pruned. If you can grow peaches, you can probably grow the hardiest of the sweet cherry varieties. They are less hardy (zone 5) and need a select spot in Northern climates if they are to thrive. Sweet cherries (Prunus avium) are sweet, low acid fruits available in the markets. They grown on compact trees, ranging from 10 to 15 feet tall. Sour cherries or pie cherries (Prunus cerasus) are quite hardy (zones 4 to 7) and and can be sweet enough to eat fresh, but they develop that incredible cherry pie taste when cooked. Here’s a breakdown of how to grow cherry trees. Cherries, sweet and sour, are so beautiful their shape their deep wine-brown, shiny bark their clouds of delicate pink blossoms in spring and most of all, their fruit, pendulous red or golden jewels that are among the earliest tree fruit to ripen in the North. One of the first trees I planted on my farm was a cherry tree, a ‘Bali’ sour cherry. Pantry 101: White vs.No matter the type, it’s easy to grow cherry trees. And since that tart flavour demands a bit of sugar, it makes for a perfect match in cakes and pies.ġ5 ways to make the most of summer cherries Why we love them: Sour cherries hold their authentic cherry flavour throughout a high-heat cooking process, making them the ideal choice for baked goods or jams. And, unlike their sweet counterparts, they come in a variety of different shades, making them extra special and oh-so-summery. Sour cherries have a unique tartness, giving them an added dimension of cherry flavour wherever you use them. Why we love them: They shine when they’re simply macerated or left as-is, making them ideal for no-cook dinners and desserts. They also add needed sweetness, texture and balance to light dinner and dessert dishes. So when should you choose one over the other?īecause sweet cherries are so flavourful and juicy, they make for the perfect snack (by the handful!) on a hot summer’s day. While one is dark red, and ever so sweet, the other can be golden or vibrantly red with a wonderful tartness. And while they’re flooding farmers markets and roadside stands in all their beautiful glory, you might notice there are two classic varieties sitting side by side. Cherries are the quintessential fruit of the dog days of summer.
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