Sweet cherry garden

Just as cherry plum is confused with plum, so many continue to confuse sweet cherry with cherry. Garden cherry is a southern culture that is now rapidly gaining momentum in terms of cultivation in various climatic zones, and amateur summer residents manage to cope with its seemingly fastidious disposition in different ways.

We will try to consider how to properly plant the garden cherry on our territory and achieve the best possible result. Ideally, the plot for growing garden cherries should be located in the area of ​​the southern or south-western slope, in its middle or upper part.

Sweet cherry, like many crops, is sensitive to the effects of northern winds, so you just need to equip it with a shelter - to place it near a hedge or fence, you are also very lucky if you find a suitable place near a forest area with tall, dense trees.

As for the soil for planting sweet cherries, a loamy or sandy loam type of light structure, cultivated earlier, which has a high level of fertility, is best suited here. The acidity level of the soil should not exceed the limit of 7.2 units.

Planting holes for planting garden cherries should be dug 80 by 80 by 80 centimeters in size, and also prepared by filling with fertile soil, applied at the rate of fertilizer of organic and mineral origin in the same way as in the case of cherries.

Since sweet cherry is a southern culture, it makes increased demands on the level of heat, as well as the amount of moisture, and also does not tolerate stagnant water, which negatively affects its growth and development. Before planting, it is necessary to check how close the groundwater is, organize a drainage system to remove excess, and only then start the process.

The culture is distinguished by a high need for natural light, therefore it is strictly forbidden to plant cherries in shaded places, where the sun's rays most often do not fall.

The best fruiting dynamics of garden cherries and a high yield are observed when pollination is cross-pollinated, therefore, like cherries, it will be advisable to plant in the form of several varieties, located relatively close to each other.

If you nevertheless decide to grow garden cherries in the northern region, it is better to use a tree for this than a bush, since the latter is less resistant to temperature extremes, the only exceptions are multi-stem bushes.

As for trees, even in spite of extreme conditions, climatic stress and low temperatures, they can quite survive and grow with well-developed skeletal branches and root systems. Tall varieties can easily reach up to 5 meters, while for medium-sized varieties, values ​​of 3 or 4 meters are more characteristic.

Remember that the optimal distance between neighboring trees should be observed for their comfort in the process of growth and development - for tall trees this value is 5 meters, in the case of medium-sized trees, you can do with 3 meters.

The growth of the aboveground part of the tree lasts 12 years, and fruiting occurs already at the age of 3 to 5 years. If you follow all the recommendations for the care and protection of trees, their lifespan can reach, in the best cases, from 25 to 30 years.

Since the garden cherry, as we have already learned, is itself a crop of rapid and intensive growth, it needs a sufficiently large amount of resources, nutrients, as well as a large area for free expansion of the root system.

It is necessary to feed the garden cherry tree at least 3 times. The first feeding should be done in the spring season before the flower buds bloom - a solution is prepared from 1 tablespoon of urea and potassium sulfate per 10 liters of water, 20-25 liters are added to each tree or bush.

The second time you need to feed the garden cherry after flowering ends, for this they take 2 tablespoons of agriculture for berry crops, 2 glasses of organic fertilizer and dilute with 10 liters of water. The solution consumption is on average from 20 to 30 liters per tree.

As for the third feeding, it should be done after you have harvested the fruit - 100 grams of potassium sulfate, 200 grams of superphosphate, 100 grams of agriculture for berry crops are evenly scattered around the perimeter of a bush or tree, then the soil should be moistened by watering.

Foliar top dressing of garden cherries with the help of growth stimulants during the period of the appearance of flower buds is also allowed. But cherries should not be fertilized with manure, since during the winter frosts the tree is at risk of freezing, and the number of fruit buds it needs is reduced.

In the end, you should once and for all understand the difference between cherries and cherries. Mainly, garden cherries are distinguished by earlier ripening periods and intensity of growth, their taste is superior to cherries in the content of natural sugar, not so sour, often larger in size.

That is why garden cherries are more popular among gardeners than cherries. So it should be noted the darker color, the content of such elements as magnesium, carotene, potassium and so on in the fruit composition. Do not confuse these fruits and grow what you personally like. Good luck!