How to Plant Cherries in Spring: A Step by Step Guide for Beginners

For stone fruit crops, the optimal time for placement on the site is the beginning of the growing season before sap flow. Planting cherries in spring in open ground with seedlings will give a positive result if the variety corresponds to the climate and the work is carried out taking into account the requirements of agricultural technology. The tree will grow normally with sufficient light and fertile neutral soil.

Features of planting cherries in spring

Berry culture is widespread in Our Country from the south to the Far North. The plant is characterized by standard agricultural practices, takes root well in a new place, bears fruit abundantly every season. Popular varieties are created on the basis of common cherry, which, due to its high frost resistance and undemanding watering, is able to grow in all climatic zones.

Depending on the variety, the crop is harvested for 4-5 years of vegetation, the tree retains the ability to bear fruit for more than 30 years. All the positive aspects of the culture are fully revealed if the biological needs of a tree or shrub are taken into account when planting.

When determining the location on the site, the following factors are taken into account. For photosynthesis, the plant needs a sufficient amount of ultraviolet light, in the shade the vegetation will be inferior, so the yield and quality of the berries may suffer. Place the plant on the southern or eastern slopes, an open unshaded area is suitable.

Cherry does not respond well to gusts of north wind and constant drafts, especially at the beginning of the season: during flowering and bud swelling.

For landing, choose a place protected by a wall or a solid fence.

Neighborhood with large-sized trees is not terrible for an adult tree, but a seedling in the shade and with high humidity will not develop.

A drought-resistant crop can go without water for a long time. The central deepened root supplies enough moisture from the soil layers, young seedlings are watered regularly. Cherry vegetation is early. At this time, there are no abnormally high temperatures, and the soil is sufficiently moistened by melting snow.

Excess water for young trees can be fatal. Therefore, when planting, they do not consider lowlands where water accumulates from precipitation; for the same reason, ravines, wetlands and areas with close groundwater are not suitable. The horizontal part of the root system is deepened within 60 cm and extends beyond the crown border. With high humidity in a large area around the cherry, there is a risk of root rot, disease and even death of the plant.

When planting a crop, a novice gardener should not neglect the determination of the composition of the soil. On acidic or alkaline soils, cherry will not be able to develop; it needs neutral lands. The soil should be fertile, light, well aerated. Clay and sandy soils are not suitable for planting.

Planting cherries in spring has a number of advantages; a young tree has enough time before the onset of cold weather to form a root system strong for its age. During the growth period, gardeners will be able to determine the mistakes made during planting, the appearance of pests or diseases by the state of the seedling, and take measures to eliminate the problem.

When is the best time to plant cherries in spring?

It is recommended to plant stone fruit crops in spring, this condition is especially important for a temperate climate. In the south, the planting season does not play a big role. If the cherry is placed on the site in the fall, it will have time to take root before the frost and in the spring it will immediately begin to build up the root mass. In climates with early and cold winters, there is a risk that the seedling will not overwinter even with sufficient cover, so the autumn months are not considered for planting.

Landing dates also depend on the weather conditions of the area.

Work is carried out when the soil has warmed up to +7 ⁰C, and at night there are positive temperatures (+4-6 is enough for cherries ⁰C).

The sap flow of the culture is early, so you should have time to plant a tree before it starts. Then the plant will more easily tolerate stress and take root faster. For the middle lane, the estimated landing time starts at the end of April and lasts until mid-May. In the Urals, the dates are shifted and landing is carried out 10 days later. In the southern climate, planting work is completed until mid-April.

How to choose a cherry seedling for planting in spring

The most important thing in choosing planting material is not to make a mistake with the variety. Cherries of the southern latitudes will not be able to grow in a temperate climate due to poor winter hardiness. Frosts in the spring will become a particular threat to her, the buds will die, the tree will not bear fruit.

Representatives with good winter hardiness will have a hard time enduring high summer temperatures due to poor drought resistance. You need a variety that is zoned in this area or adapted to its conditions.

Even with the right choice of variety, planting will not give a positive result if the planting material is of unsatisfactory quality. The main seedling requirements are as follows:

• age not younger than one and not older than two years;
• the presence of healthy vegetative buds at rest, planting cherries with leaves in the spring will be less successful. The plant can take root, but will be sick for a long time;
• the optimal height of a young tree is 1,5 m, the thickness of the central trunk is at least 1 cm, but the indicator depends on the variety and shape of the crown;
• increased attention is paid to the state of the root. There should be no visible damage, signs of drying out or rot on the surface. This can only be considered in seedlings with an open root system;
• if the material for planting is purchased in a shipping pot, pay attention to the condition of the soil. The earth should be moderately moist, without signs of mold and without foreign odors;
• the bark of a young cherry is smooth, light brown in color, there should be no damaged areas.

If a heat-loving cherry is planted in Siberia, then the plant will not take root and the time for planting will be wasted.

How to prepare the soil for planting cherries in spring

The landing site has been prepared since autumn. Determine the composition of the soil. If necessary, neutralize by adding dolomite flour (with a high acidity index) or granulated sulfur if the soil is alkaline. These activities are repeated at intervals of 1 time in 4 years. A plot of 1×1 m is dug up to a depth of 15-20 cm. This is a necessary measure to eliminate pests wintering in the upper layers of the soil.

Preparing the site in the spring before planting

When preparing a pit in the fall, the introduction of organic matter is not relevant. If a planting hole is made before planting, then compost, phosphate and potassium are added to the prepared place, covered with wood ash.

Preparing a hole for planting cherries in spring

Autumn work is carried out before the onset of frost: in a temperate climate around the end of September, October is suitable for the south. By this time, the pest caterpillars will go into the ground and the violation of the upper layer will be fatal for them.

Tips for preparing the pit in the fall:

1. It is difficult to determine the exact size of the recess, it directly depends on the length and volume of the root.
2. They are guided by average parameters, when planting they are corrected: 20 cm are allocated for drainage, 15-25 cm – for a nutrient substrate, 15-20 cm – root height to the neck. The depth must be at least 0,5 m.
3. You can make the same width, it is better to fill up the extra space, the main thing is that the plant is not cramped.
4. The bottom of the hole is covered with a layer of large stone, construction debris in the form of broken bricks can be used, concrete fragments cannot be used. The next layer is coarse gravel. Complete the drainage cushion with rubble.

This concludes the autumn preparation for planting.

The advantages of autumn work are that during the winter drainage will settle under a layer of snow, the boundaries of the pit will be visible. From the hole in the spring, you can determine the depth of warming up the earth.

Spring preparation of the pit for planting is not particularly different. When the earth warms up, dig the soil. Leave the hole until the end of night frosts.

How to plant cherries in spring

Prepare planting material. If it has an open root, it is dipped in a pale pink solution of manganese, left for 2 hours. Then dilute “Kornevin” or any drug that stimulates growth, immerse the root system in it, soak for several hours. These activities are not carried out for planting material in a portable pot; in the nursery, the root is disinfected before being sold.

Make a nutrient mixture from the top layer of soil (turf) and humus in equal parts. Sand is added to loamy soil, about ¼ of the volume; this component is not needed for sandy loam. Then, potassium and phosphate are added per 10 kg of the mixture. For planting, you will need 15-20 kg of substrate.

In the table you can see the approximate doses of fertilizers needed per well

Step-by-step instructions on how to plant cherries in spring:

1. Having moved 10 cm from the center, they kill a stake.
2. Divide the soil mixture into two parts.
3. One is poured onto the drainage, if the root is open, then the embankment is made in the form of a cone. The seedling is placed vertically on a hill.
4. Distribute the roots on the ground, fall asleep with the rest of the substrate to cover the root. Lightly compact with hands.
5. Then the rest of the soil mixture is poured out, rammed.
6. If the mixture is not enough, add the soil from the top layer.
7. Planting material purchased in a transport pot is poured with warm water and carefully removed from the container.
8. They do not make a hill at the bottom of the pit, pour the mixture in an even layer, put cherries on it along with an earthen clod and fall asleep to the top.
9. If a young tree has a soft protective material on the root, it is removed and put into a hole together with the soil, falling asleep in the same way.

A shallow trench is dug along the perimeter of the root circle, this is necessary so that water does not spread. It is plentifully watered and tied to a fixing stake so that the young tree does not break from the wind and the trunk is formed even.

If necessary, planting plants in the summer use material only with a protected root. Planting cherries with a closed root system in summer is carried out according to the same scheme as in spring – along with an earthen clod. This must be done carefully, minimally injuring the seedling. So that the cherry does not get burned, after planting it is shaded at noon.

Two-year-old cherries with a closed root are suitable for planting even in summer

How deep to plant cherries in spring

The landing hole should be deep enough. Excess space can be filled with soil. If the recess is shallow, the work will have to be done again. The root neck must not be deepened (covered with soil), raised too high above the surface. In the first case, rotting and the appearance of fungal infections are possible. In the second – the drying of the root and the death of the seedling.

At what temperature to plant cherries in spring

The optimal temperature indicator in the spring, when you can safely start planting a crop of +5 ⁰C, 3-4 is enough for soil ⁰ C. But here there are some nuances, the seedling will calmly respond to such a temperature regime, only return frosts pose a threat. After planting for the night, the plant is covered in order to preserve the buds, remove the protection for the day. When stable weather is established, the measure will become irrelevant.

For the Ural region and Siberia, varieties have been created that grow in the form of a shrub. These are plants with high winter hardiness. Planting bush cherries in spring can be carried out at zero soil warming. Day temperature +2-3⁰C, for this variety of frost does not pose a threat, you can not cover the seedling, but reinsurance will not be superfluous.

Distance between cherry seedlings when planting in spring

Thick planting of cherries in spring in open ground leads to poor circulation in the crown, bending of branches, and shading of young shoots with buds. If one cherry gets sick, the problem will appear on the next growing one. The same applies to pests, they quickly appear on neighboring trees. The distance between the pits during planting depends on the crop variety. If the tree is tall, with a spreading crown, they maintain a distance of at least 2,5 m. Spray cherries are distributed at intervals of 2 m. For dwarf forms, 1,5 m is enough.

Arrangement of cherries in one line

How to save a cherry seedling until planting in spring

Cherry is a frost-resistant plant, so it is better to keep the seedlings on the site until spring. The crop is harvested, there is enough free space. Algorithm for storing seedlings until spring planting:

1. The ditch is dug from west to east, its depth is equal to the height of the seedling minus 10 cm.
2. The roots of planting material are placed in water for 2 hours.
3. Seedlings are placed at a distance of 15-30 cm from each other, the roots should look to the north, and the branches to the south, they are covered with earth to the crown to form a ridge.
4. After the first slight frost, the branches are covered with a dry mixture of earth and sawdust.
5. Scatter a rodent repellant over the embankment.
6. They put spruce branches on top, in winter they make a snowdrift at the place of the dig.

Cherry seedling care after planting in spring

Agrotechnics for the care of young cherries is simple:

1. If a nutrient mixture is added during planting, it is not necessary to feed the plant. It is enough for a seedling for 3 years.
2. In order to prevent the soil from drying out and its waterlogging, it is periodically watered, focusing on the frequency of precipitation.
3. Formative pruning starts from the fourth year of vegetation.
4. In order to prevent pests, pest control is carried out in the spring, and chemicals are also used as needed during the season.
5. Make sure that there are no weeds near the seedling.
6. For the winter, they spud cherries, wrap the bole with sacking.
7. Mulch in the spring, and in the fall the layer is updated and increased.

Tips from experienced gardeners

Tips from experienced gardeners will help you avoid problems with growing cherries:

1. In autumn and spring, the tree trunk is covered with lime or water-based paint to avoid burns.
2. When planting, the seedling is fixed to a support near the lower branches, so it will be more stable.
3. If the plant has not increased in growth over the season, it looks weak, there may be several reasons, but most often it turns out that the root neck is not located correctly. In this case, the plant must be dug up and re-planted.
   
   

   When planting, the root neck is left on the surface.

4. If everything is fine with the planting, then the soil or place is not suitable for the cherry, it is transferred to another site.

Stone fruit crops are best planted in the spring, be sure to select a variety that matches the climatic conditions of the region.

Conclusion

Planting cherries in spring in open ground with seedlings is recommended by experts, because this is the optimal time for rooting the crop. So that the plant does not hurt and gives a stable harvest, planting is carried out at a favorable time for this. For beginner gardeners, below is a video of planting cherries in the spring, which will help you get the job done right.