How to get a good cherry harvest: tips and recommendations

Growing cherries is a task that requires certain knowledge and effort.

Many gardeners are concerned about low yields or poor quality fruit. To achieve maximum productivity, many factors must be taken into account: from choosing the right variety to the specifics of tree care.

Anastasia Kovrizhnykh , an expert of the online publication "BelNovosti", an agronomist and landscape designer, told how to act in such a situation.

Selecting a variety

Selecting the right cherry variety plays an important role in successful cultivation. Different varieties have their own characteristics and requirements for growing conditions.

The gardener must take into account the climatic conditions of the region, the resistance of the variety to diseases and pests, as well as the ripening time of the fruit.

It is optimal to select several varieties with different ripening times to extend the harvest period and increase the overall productivity of the garden.

The right place for landing

The place for planting cherries should be sunny and well protected from the wind. Cherries prefer fertile, well-drained soils with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction.

Poor drainage can lead to root rot, which will negatively affect the harvest. It is important to avoid lowlands and areas with stagnant water. Planting holes are prepared in advance, filling them with a mixture of garden soil, humus and mineral fertilizers.

Pollination

To obtain a good harvest, cherries need cross-pollination. Many varieties are self-sterile and require pollinators.

Planting several different varieties next to each other is the best solution. This will increase the number of ovaries and ensure a stable harvest. Attracting bees and other pollinators also helps improve fruiting.

Tree care

Regular care of cherry trees includes pruning, watering, fertilizing, and protection from pests and diseases. Pruning is done in the spring before the sap starts to flow and in the fall after harvesting.

Proper pruning shapes the crown, improves lighting and ventilation. Watering is especially important during flowering and fruit formation.

Trees are watered regularly, but over-watering is avoided. Fertilizing with mineral and organic fertilizers is carried out in several stages: in spring, early summer and autumn.

Protection from pests and diseases

Cherries are susceptible to various diseases and pests that can significantly reduce the yield. The main pests are aphids, cherry flies and cherry fruit moths.

Among the diseases, the most common are coccomycosis, moniliosis and gummosis. To protect trees, preventive treatments with insecticides and fungicides are used.

It is important to promptly remove affected parts of plants and observe sanitary standards in the garden.

Watering and fertilizing

Cherry requires regular watering, especially during the flowering and ripening period. Lack of moisture can lead to the ovaries falling off and the quality of the fruit deteriorating.

Watering is carried out as needed, avoiding both drying out and over-wetting of the soil. Cherry feeding should be balanced.

In spring, nitrogen fertilizers are applied to promote tree growth. In summer, phosphorus-potassium complexes are added to stimulate fruiting. In autumn, organic fertilizing is carried out to prepare the tree for winter.

Previously, we talked about how to grow lettuce in the garden so that the leaves don’t taste bitter .