Meteor Cherry

Planting & Care for Edible Plants – Cherries

Preparation

• The best time to plant cherries is in the late fall or early spring.
• For sweet cherries, make sure the different varieties will pollinate each other. Tart, our sour cherries, are all self-fruitful.
• Plant in a sunny site with good air circulation; avoid planting near trees or buildings that shade.
• Cherry trees need deep, well-drained soil. 
• Space sweet cherries 35 to 40 feet apart; dwarfs, 5 to 10 feet apart.
• Space tart cherries 20 to 25 feet apart; dwarfs, 8 to 10 feet apart.
• There is no difference in care between sour and sweet cherries.
• Apply mulch to retain moisture.

Opening Plant Material

• Bare Root - Cut open the bundle (top and roots are tied) and separate all the plants. Soak roots in buckets of water until planted. Each plant type will be labeled separately for identification. Do not expose the roots to sun. They should never dry out. Keep roots covered. All bare-root plants must be trimmed when planted. 

Planting Bare Root

• Plant Bare root in fall. A good indicator if you can still plant is if the ground is still workable you’re good to go. If a hard frost is expected be sure to hold off on planting.
• Dig a hole at least 6" wider and the same depth as the root mass. The crown or graft of the plant should be slightly higher than ground level where it was grown at the nursery.
• Trim off the broken roots and branches.
• Spread the roots and fill halfway with soil, then water until soil settles completely saturating the soil and planting pit.
• Re-adjust plant and fill the hole with the rest of the soil.
• Back fill the balance of the soil and water well. 
• See our link below “Handling & Planting Guidelines” for illustrations on planting.   

Pruning – After Planting

• Bare Root - Prune ALL bare root plants to reduce transplant shock and ensure success. Pruning should occur either before or as soon after planting as possible. All pruning should be done with a sharp pruning shears.

Pruning - Through-out the Season

• Thinning the fruit on cherry trees is not necessary.
• Prune cherry trees every year in late winter to encourage the growth of new fruiting wood.
• Be sure to skip pruning in the fall.

Harvesting

• Pick the fruit when it’s FULLY ripe (dark red, black, yellow).
• Be ready to harvest within a week’s time. 
• Be sure to eat or cook immediately.
• Pick fruits when they’re firm if they are to be frozen.
• Remember that cherry trees do not bear fruit until their fourth year; they should produce about 30 to 50 quarts of cherries each year.

Watering - After Planting

• Plants typically take approximately 6 weeks to establish new roots in your soil. During this period, water plants as often as every 2-4 days at the start and at least a minimum of once per week. Beyond the 6 week establishment period, water once per week, unless rains occur.  
• Stick your finger into the soil around 3” to check soil moisture.

Watering - Through-out the Season

• After the first season, plants should only be watered during extended periods without rain.
• How do you know if your plants need water? The easiest way to tell is to touch the soil around the roots. If it is moist, there is no need to water. If it is dry, give it a good soaking with the hose end (no nozzle) watering the soil only, not the leaves.
• Stick your finger into the soil around 3” to check soil moisture.

Go to our "Plant Features & Video Tab" for more information & tips on caring and maintaining this plant.