Sweet and Sour Cherries For Beginners in Zone 6

Cherries are a delicious fruit that can be an excellent addition to any garden. Whether you have a small backyard or a larger orchard, cherries grow well in zone 6.

Cherries are famous for their beautiful blossoms. Washington DC, Tokyo, Japan, people travel thousands of miles just to see them bloom.

Types of Cherries: Sweet vs. Sour

Sweet cherries (Prunus avium) and sour cherries (Prunus cerasus) are the two main types of cherries cultivated for consumption. They differ not only in taste but also in their growing requirements and characteristics.

Sweet Cherries:

Sweet cherries (Prunus avium) are the ones we see most often in the grocery store. They are sold fresh for snacking. They thrive in regions with long, hot summers and mild winters. They prefer well-drained soil and full sun exposure.

Sweet Cherries are usually larger and have a glossy, dark red or almost black skin when ripe. They require another variety for pollination and do best in a cluster of three trees. Stark Bro’s states that sweet cherry trees will yield approximately 15-20 quarts for dwarf trees, and 30-50 quarts for semi-dwarf trees.

Kristin Sweet Cherry

Firm bright red meaty fruits. Very tasty. Needs another cherry tree for pollination. Pollinates well with Lapins. Ripens in July.

Lapins Sweet Cherry

The deep red mahogany color we associate with supermarket cherries. Hardy and productive although mine took 5 years before bearing. Ripens mid-July.

Sour Cherries

Sour cherries (Prunus cerasus) have a tart flavor and are used for baking and preserves, but may be too tart for fresh eating. They are hardier than sweet cherries, tolerating colder temperatures and less favorable conditions.

They are smaller than sweet cherries, with bright red skin that can sometimes verge on dark red. It’s tart but can still be enjoyed fresh. I used to tell my children it’s where the Sweet-tart candies came from (wink).

Stark Bro’s Nursery states that sour cherry trees will yield approximately 15-20 quarts for dwarf trees and 20-60 quarts for semi-dwarf trees.

Montmorency Pie Cherry

Excellent for pies and preserves. Hardy tree that is cold tolerant and resistant to brown rot. The fruit is red with a yellow blush. Ripens late June. One year I made strawberry cherry jam which was surprisingly good! I like that sweet-tart mix!

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Planting

Cherry trees thrive in temperate climates with cooler winters and mild summers and are not the most ideal tree for Zone 6 but I think do very well with some TLC.

They require well-draining soil with a pH level between 6.0 and 7.0. Cherries should get at least 6 hours of sunlight each day.

Semi Dwarf Sweet cherry trees should be spaced 15 feet apart, while dwarf varieties should be spaced 10 feet apart.

Cross-pollination by a different variety is necessary for success. Plant a recommended variety within 100' for best pollination.

Care

When planting a cherry tree, ensure that the root system is well-established and the graft union is above the soil line.

Water the tree regularly, especially during dry periods, and mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Cherries typically take 4 years before bearing fruit and need good care to develop.

Pruning

Prune your cherry tree in late winter to shape the tree, improve air circulation, and promote fruit production.

Pest and Disease Management

Cherry trees are susceptible to various pests and diseases, including aphids, cherry fruit flies, and brown rot.

Brown Rot: This fungal disease can be managed by removing and destroying infected fruit and pruning to increase air circulation. Apply sulfur or organic fungicides before the disease appears, particularly during wet weather.

Bacterial Canker: This is a serious disease for cherry trees. Prevent it by ensuring trees are healthy and not stressed. Neem oil can be applied as a preventive measure in early spring and fall. Follow my orchard schedule below.

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Consider using pheromone traps for cherry fruit fly control and practicing good sanitation by removing fallen fruit from the ground.

Grow Mulberries

Mulberries are a fabulous tree to grow to organically offer pest control! I first read about growing mulberries as a way to keep songbirds from eating my cherries. They are native to eastern and central parts of the USA and make a great foraging crop as well.

Harvesting Cherries

Cherries are ready for harvest in early to mid-summer, depending on the variety. Sweet cherries should be picked when they are firm and fully colored, while sour cherries are best harvested when they are slightly underripe for cooking purposes. Use scissors to snip the stems of the cherries carefully to avoid damaging the fruit.

By following these tips, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious cherries from your own backyard. Whether you eat them fresh, bake them into pies, or preserve them for later use, homegrown cherries are sure to delight your taste buds. Happy growing!