How to grow cherries in your garden

Cherries are an easy and rewarding crop to grow in the UK. Best grown as a trained tree against a wall or fence as an espalier or fan shape. This makes the fruit easy to pick and easy to protect as the fruit ripens with nets that will stop the garden birds from eating your crop.

To grow cherries, follow these steps:

1. Choose a suitable location: Cherries prefer well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5, and full sun.
2. Select a cultivar: Consider the climate, as some cherry varieties are more cold-hardy than others.
3. Planting: Plant cherry trees in the spring or fall, spacing them about 15-20 feet apart. The hole should be deep enough to cover the roots but not the trunk.
4. Watering and fertilizing: Water the tree regularly, especially during the first growing season. Fertilize with an all-purpose fertilizer in early spring.
5. Pruning: Prune the tree each year in late winter or early spring to remove any dead or diseased wood, and to shape the tree.
6. Pest management: Keep an eye out for common cherry pests such as cherry fruit flies, cherry aphids, and birds. Use insecticide or bird netting as needed.
7. Harvest: Cherries typically ripen in June or July, depending on the variety. Harvest the fruit when it’s fully ripe, by gently twisting the stem.

Growing cherries on tree trained

To grow cherries on a tree that is trained, you can use one of several training systems, including the following:

1. Central leader: In this system, a single trunk is trained to grow straight up, with branches spaced evenly along its length.
2. Modified central leader: This system is similar to the central leader system, but the central trunk is allowed to branch into several scaffold branches that form the framework of the tree.
3. Open centre: In this system, multiple trunks are trained to grow from the ground, without a central leader. The trunks are spaced evenly and branches are trained to grow from them.
4. Espalier: In this system, cherry trees are trained to grow flat against a wall or trellis. Branches are trained to grow in specific patterns, such as a fan or candelabra.

Regardless of the training system you choose, pruning and training should be done regularly to maintain the shape of the tree and encourage fruiting.

Cherries are susceptible to several pests and diseases, including the following:

1. Pests:

• Cherry fruit fly: This insect lays its eggs inside the cherry, and the larvae feed on the fruit, causing it to rot.
• Cherry aphid: This small insect feeds on the sap of the cherry tree, causing leaves to curl and yellow.
• Birds: Birds can be a major problem for cherry growers, as they love to eat the fruit.

1. Diseases:

• Brown rot: This fungal disease causes the fruit to rot, starting at the blossom end.
• Powdery mildew: This fungal disease causes a white, powdery growth on the leaves, shoots, and fruit.
• Bacterial canker: This bacterial disease causes sunken, discolored areas on the trunk and branches, and can lead to dieback.

To prevent or manage pests and diseases, consider the following measures:

1. Choose disease-resistant cultivars.
2. Practice good cultural care, including proper irrigation and fertilization.
3. Remove and destroy infected leaves, fruit, and branches promptly.
4. Use insecticide or bird netting to control pests.
5. Practice crop rotation to reduce the buildup of disease in the soil.

It’s important to address pests and diseases promptly, as they can cause significant damage to the cherry tree and reduce the quality and quantity of fruit.