Cherry is a popular crop that is often grown in gardens due to its hardiness and the many preparations that can be made from it.
Growing cherries is not difficult; however, to achieve a high yield, it is important to follow agricultural practices.
Features of Cultivation
The popularity of cherries is due to their ability to grow in various types of soil, both poor and fertile.
From one tree, about 30 kg of berries can be harvested during the fruiting period, allowing for winter preparations and enjoyment of fresh berries.
Cherries are frost-resistant and can quickly recover after a cold winter, which usually does not affect their yield.
It is not necessary to plant cherries in sunny areas; they will bear fruit in the shade as well, but berries that receive plenty of sunlight will be juicier and sweeter.
Planting Rules
Cherries are considered an undemanding crop, and following planting rules ensures a strong and healthy tree with abundant fruiting.
Although cherries can grow in any soil, they prefer sandy soils with a neutral acidity level. It is best to plant the tree on the southern or western side of the plot, avoiding close proximity to groundwater to the roots.
Before planting cherries, the soil should be dug up with lime, but do not mix it with manure directly in the hole.
To plant, a hole measuring 50x50x50 cm should be dug, with compost, superphosphate, and ash placed at the bottom, mixed with soil, and a stake installed for tying.
When planting, cherries lose a lot of moisture, so before planting, the seedling should be placed in water for 4-6 hours or overnight.
Do not bury the roots too deeply; planting should be done in mid-spring or early autumn. In spring, cherries are planted before the buds open, and in autumn — so that they can take root before frost.
If frost is approaching and the cherries have not yet been planted, the seedling can be buried at a 45-degree angle to the ground for protection against winter frosts. In winter, cherries need to be covered.
Common Mistakes in Cherry Tree Care
Caring for cherries is simple and includes watering, weeding, timely fertilization, and pruning. This ensures proper development and good fruiting.
Insufficient watering can lead to the freezing of buds in winter, disrupting fruiting. Lack of fertilization depletes the tree, making it fragile and sickly, which complicates wintering.
Fruit trees are susceptible to pests, so preventive measures must be taken. If the cherry tree is not fruiting, the reason may be self-pollination; it is advisable to plant several cherries or related crops in the garden.
It is also important to prune cherries in a timely manner to avoid overcrowding. Dense branches can lead to small fruits.
Regularly remove lower and long shoots from the crown. There should be no more than 10 skeletal branches on one cherry tree to keep the crown sparse and the berries even and large.
Thus, caring for cherries in your garden is quite simple. It is important to choose the right variety of cherry, considering the local climate, the plot, and the desired taste qualities of the fruits.
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