Cherry (Dwarf) Growing Guide

Prunus avium 

Cherry (Dwarf)

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous ●

Soil

Fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil.

Position

Sunny spot with excellent air circulation. Cherry trees will only produce fruit in areas with very cold winters. You will need two trees for good fruit set with sweet cherries. Standard tart cherries are often self fertile, and make nice landscape trees.

Frost tolerant

Yes, but it is important to choose varieties known to grow well in your area to reduce risk of losing blooms to spring freezes in cold areas.

Feeding

Cherries benefit from a mulch of well-rotted organic matter and a feed with a balanced organic fertiliser in spring.

Companions

Corridors within the orchard that are planted with clovers and other legumes contribute to soil fertility and attract pollinators.

Spacing

Single Plants: 3,00m (9' 10") each way (minimum)
Rows: 3,00m (9' 10") with 3,00m (9' 10") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Plant in winter while they are dormant. This gives them a chance to settle and develop their roots before putting their energy into spring growth. Prepare a large hole by breaking up the soil and adding plenty of well-rotted organic matter. A wide hole is better than a very deep one. Mulch after planting, and encircle the trunk with a wire cage or protective pipe to protect the young tree from animal and insect pests. Young cherry trees are at high risk for damage from insects that bore into the main trunk.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Many sweet cherries need to be grown with at least one other flowering at a similar time for pollination, but many tart cherries are self-fertile. Prune in late winter to shape trees and removed damaged branches.

Harvesting

Pick cherries carefully so as not to damage the delicate fruit.

Troubleshooting

Use netting to prevent bird damage. In humid climates, cherries often develop problems with fungal diseases such as brown rot. However, because cherries ripen early, they have fewer disease problems compared to many other tree fruits. If there are holes in the trunk which leak a gummy substance or sawdust-like frass, the culprit is probably a borer or beetle – to kill this pest, poke a needle into the hole. Tent caterpillars build gauzy nests in early spring, and devour leaves. Control by swirling a broom head in the nest, then use a stick to scrape the tent off and stomp on it.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Cherry (Dwarf)