🍒 Cherry

Cherries have been difficult for small gardens in the past, but modern dwarfing rootstocks such as Gisela 5 and self-fertile varieties like Stella and Sunburst have changed that. A fan-trained tree against a sunny wall is ideal, producing a heavy crop of glossy dark fruit and attractive spring blossom.

Sweet cherries are eaten fresh, while acid cherries such as Morello are for cooking, and tolerate a north-facing wall. Netting is essential, because birds will take every cherry given the chance.

Types and varieties

Cherries are sweet (for eating) or acid (for cooking), and the two are grown differently.

Plant bare-root trees between November and March in a sheltered, sunny spot with fertile, free-draining soil that holds some moisture. Cherry blossom opens early, so avoid frost pockets. Choose a self-fertile variety unless you have a neighbour with compatible trees.

Plant with the graft union 5 cm above ground, stake firmly and mulch with compost. For a fan, tie in branches to horizontal wires on a fence or wall. Water well in the first two summers. Cherries on Gisela 5 rootstock are suitable for large containers (50 cm) if watered and fed regularly.

Top tips

• Choose a self-fertile variety.
• Avoid frost pockets.
• Net as soon as fruit forms.
• Plant fans on a warm wall.

Prune cherries only in spring and summer, never in winter, to reduce the risk of silver leaf and bacterial canker. Fans need a summer prune in July to August: pinch back side shoots to 6 leaves, and tie in new growth. Remove dead or diseased wood at once.

Water regularly during dry spells and as fruit swells; irregular watering causes the fruit to split. Mulch each spring, and feed with a general fertiliser. Protect blossom from frost with fleece on cold nights in spring. Net the tree against birds, preferably over a frame.

Top tips

• Prune in spring and summer only.
• Water evenly to avoid splitting.
• Fleece blossom on frosty nights.
• Net against birds.

Watch out for

BirdsBacterial cankerSilver leafCherry blackflyFruit splitting in wet weather

Pick sweet cherries from June to August when fully coloured and slightly soft; they do not ripen further after picking. Taste one to test the sugar. Pick with the stalk attached, to prevent juice loss and mould. Acid cherries such as Morello are ready when deep red and come away from the stalk easily.

Pick on a dry day and eat promptly. Pick over the whole tree several times as fruit ripens unevenly, and remove cracked or rotting fruit to prevent spread of brown rot.

Top tips

• Pick with the stalk on.
• Pick on a dry day.
• Taste before picking.
• Remove split fruit.

Eat sweet cherries fresh, or use in clafoutis, tarts, cakes and compotes. Acid cherries make superb jam, pies, sauces and cherry brandy, and have a fabulous sharpness. A cherry stoner makes preparation quick.

Fresh cherries keep for 3–5 days in the fridge. Freeze stoned cherries on a tray, then pack in bags for up to a year. Morello cherries can be bottled in syrup or preserved in alcohol.

Top tips

• Freeze stoned cherries on a tray.
• Use a cherry stoner.
• Make Morello jam.
• Preserve in brandy.