How to plant cherries in the Moscow region: in spring, summer and autumn

One of the most popular inhabitants of gardens in Our Country is cherry. An unpretentious undersized tree, originally from Asia Minor, belongs to the Plum subgenus. Its sweet and sour fruits can be eaten fresh, frozen, made into jams and jams, dried and used in cooking. Despite its southern origin, cherry has successfully taken root in the Moscow region, Siberia and the Urals. She is not afraid of frost, resistant to spring and autumn frosts, the northern short summer is enough for her to bear fruit abundantly. Planting cherries in the spring in the Moscow region is not particularly difficult if you follow the advice of agronomists and experienced gardeners. The seedlings are well rooted and the next year they delight with a small harvest.

In spring, cherry blossoms are strewn with flowers that spread a delicate, slightly bitter aroma.

Features of growing cherries in the suburbs

Growing cherries in the Moscow region in the open field has its own characteristics. First of all, you need to choose a place on the site. Cherry loves a lot of sun, so it should be planted in well-lit, wind-protected places on the south side. The soil suitable for it is light, loamy and sandy, flavored with compost or humus, well-drained, without stagnant water. If the groundwater is located close to the surface, above 1,5 m, then the tree will have to be planted on a mound of at least 0,5 m in height.

If the soil has a pronounced acid reaction, which is not uncommon in the Moscow region, it should be neutralized with lime or dolomite flour to pH 6 from autumn or 15-30 days before planting, at the rate of 2 kg per 5 m².

How to choose a cherry variety for planting in the suburbs

So that the labors are not in vain, and the new inhabitants of the garden delight with abundant harvests, the choice of planting material must be approached with all responsibility:

1. Seedlings must be purchased from trusted suppliers, in nurseries.
2. Zoned trees are suitable, frost-resistant and winter-hardy, resistant to such diseases characteristic of the Moscow Region as coccomycosis and moniliosis.
3. You should pay attention to the timing of flowering and the yield of the variety, as well as taste, because the trees are acquired for the sake of tasty, juicy berries.

The most popular in the Moscow region, as well as throughout central Our Country, are the following varieties of cherries:

1. Chocolate girl. Differs in average productivity and high resistance to diseases.

   

2. Turgenevka. It tolerates northern winters well, the berries are juicy, sweet-sour. Resistant to diseases characteristic of cherries.

   

3. Apukhtinskaya. High-yielding variety, but does not tolerate frost. A self-fertile variety, but to increase productivity, you can plant varieties Schedraya, Malinovka, Lyubskaya, Zhuravka nearby.

   

4. Volochaevka. Frost-resistant, high-yielding, resistant to coccomycosis. The variety was bred in the 80s of the twentieth century and belongs to medium height.

   

5. Youth. Gives annual plentiful harvests, well transfers severe winters. The berries are distinguished by good keeping quality, keeping their presentation up to 15-20 days after picking.

   

6. Lyubskaya. Self-fertile, winter-hardy and practically not susceptible to disease. Known since the XNUMXth century, originally grown in the Kursk province and belongs to the varieties of folk selection.

   

It is recommended to plant several different varieties suitable for cross-pollination.

When is it better to plant cherries in the suburbs

Spring is considered the best time for planting. So young trees have time to take root and get stronger before winter frosts. The timing of planting cherries in the spring in the Moscow region is limited: you need to choose the moment when the air and soil have already warmed up, but the buds have not yet hatched. As a rule, this is the period from the end of March to the tenth of April.

Autumn planting of cherries in the Moscow region is also possible, but it is required to strictly observe the deadlines so that the seedlings have time to take root before the first frosts. Usually planting work is carried out in September, no later than the beginning of October. However, it is necessary to keep an eye on weather forecasts as frosts may start earlier. If in doubt, it is better to dig in the cherry with a slope of 45^о into a trench, well spilled and covered with spruce or pine spruce branches, sawdust, straw. This way they will overwinter wonderfully and be ready for a less stressful spring planting.

How to plant cherries in the suburbs

Subject to the planting technology, cherry seedlings take root well. They are not demanding on the composition of the soil, do not need abundant watering. When choosing a place, it must be taken into account that the cherry does not like stagnant melt or rainwater, its roots begin to get wet and rot, which leads to the death of the tree.

How to plant cherries in the spring in the suburbs

For planting cherries in the spring in the Moscow region, the preparation of pits has been carried out since autumn. It is necessary to dig holes according to the number of seedlings with a side size of 60X60 cm and 100 cm in depth. The walls of the pits must be strictly vertical, and the bottom – horizontal. The distance between them is at least 2,5-3 m, since the tree needs space and sunlight for the development of the root system and crown. Lay a layer of drainage at the bottom – pebbles, expanded clay, fragments of bricks. Then drive in a stake at least 2,5 m long – so that it does not shake. Pour humus or compost mixed with fertile soil, ash, lime, add a layer of clean earth in a slide.

Carefully inspect the selected planting material. Cut broken, rotten, moldy roots with a sharp knife or secateurs, lower them into a clay mash or sprinkle the cut with ash well. Set the cherry in such a way that the graft looks south, and from the north of the garter stake. The inoculation should be at a height of 5-8 cm above the soil level. Straighten the roots, arrange evenly on the soil hill. If necessary, slightly dig the wall of the pit, but the roots should not twist, bend, lie down in a tangled ball.

Cover the earth in layers, covering and additionally spreading thin roots as they are located on the rhizome – in tiers. Press lightly with palms to compact the soil. Fill the hole, crush it with your hands. Spud – pour an annular roller of soil up to 20 cm high, pour a bucket of water at room temperature. You can dissolve in it a drug that stimulates the formation of the root system. Mulch the surface around the tree with coniferous waste, peat, sawdust, humus or straw. Tie the cherry to the peg with sliding loops of soft material.

Cherry grows well on light sandy and loamy soils, characteristic of the Moscow region

How to plant cherries in the summer in the Urals

In order for the crop to give a good harvest, it is necessary to choose varieties adapted to the climatic conditions of the Urals. The best choice will be early and mid-season varieties that have time to mature during a short, cool summer. The best varieties for this region are Sverdlovchanka, Ural Ruby, Tagilka, Mayak, Standard Ural, Ashinskaya and Bolotovskaya.

Pits for planting must be prepared in the fall, in extreme cases, take care of this in early spring, as soon as the snow melts. Summer planting differs from spring planting in that in hot weather, young seedlings require shelter in the form of a canopy or net, as well as additional watering. However, the weather conditions in the Urals are such that landing during the summer is quite acceptable. The trees take root well, especially in the case of cloudy, rainy weather in the first decade after planting.

The soil for planting cherries needs light, sandy, mixed with humus or compost. In the selected places, you need to dig holes measuring 60x60x100 cm, drive in a garter stake. Lay drainage at the bottom with a layer of 10 cm, then pour a hill of soil mixture in such a way that the graft of the tree installed on it rises 5-10 cm above ground level.

Cover the roots with earth, slightly pressing down. Spud the seedling, spill it with a bucket of water and be sure to mulch it – this procedure will reduce moisture loss due to evaporation, protect delicate roots from overheating. If hot weather is expected, a net must be stretched over the trees, covered with spruce branches or reeds on poles.

Seedlings can be shed again 7-10 days after planting.

How to plant cherries in the fall in the suburbs

Autumn planting in the Moscow region is no different from spring planting in terms of technology. Pits must be prepared at least 15 days before planting. Planted planting material must be mulched in a thick layer. If severe frosts are expected, the trees can be wrapped with non-woven material.

Care of seedlings

The health of the cherry and the future harvest depend on the proper care of the plantings. The tree is unpretentious, however, it still requires the gardener’s attention. It is worth considering the following recommendations:

1. Watering is necessary extremely moderate. If the summer in the Moscow region and the Urals is rainy, then additional moisture is not required. Cherry consumes the maximum amount of moisture during flowering and fruiting. If the soil has dried out, then it must be shed once a week.
2. Organics for cherries in the Moscow region are brought in every 3-4 years. Apply compost, rotted manure, watering with diluted bird or cow manure. Mineral fertilizers can be applied every year in the fall. If there is no desire to use chemistry, you can use folk remedies. The tree responds well to watering and adding ash, liming, and adding dolomite flour.
3. Cherry requires regular pruning, otherwise the crown thickens unnecessarily, and the yield decreases. It should be carried out in the spring, before the buds begin to swell. Remove branches growing deep into the crown, dry and diseased, damaged. Cut out vertically directed shoots and part of annual branches.
4. Fungal disease prevention and pest control are also important. If there are signs of the disease – spots on the trunks and leaves, or pests – aphids, cherry fly, sawfly, urgent measures must be taken so as not to lose the crop and prevent the death of the tree.

A year after planting the seedlings, the tie stakes can be carefully pulled out or broken off at the base – the rest in the ground will simply rot.

Cherry responds to proper care with abundant harvests of juicy, sweet-sour berries

Tips from experienced gardeners

Agrotechnics for growing cherries in the Moscow region is not too complicated, it is available even for beginner gardeners. The unpretentiousness of the cherry, as well as the benefits of its berries, determines the popularity of this tree in Our Country. Experienced gardeners share the secrets of successfully growing cherry trees in risky farming areas with harsh winters:

1. Saplings must be zoned, grown in a nursery specifically for the Moscow region.
2. An excellent solution would be to plant on the southern slopes of the hills, as well as on the south side of the fence, at home, stepping back from it at least 2,5 m so that the roots do not damage the foundation.
3. Snow is an excellent protection against frost. Young seedlings perfectly tolerate harsh winters under a pillow of spruce branches and snow.
4. If possible, it is better to purchase seedlings with a closed root system, in pots or special bags. In this case, the seedling is carefully transferred to the prepared hole, trying not to disturb the lump.
5. Neighborhood in the garden is very important: this way the trees get sick less and bear fruit more abundantly. Cherries do not tolerate planting next to cherries, apples, pears, blackcurrants.
6. Seedlings should be 1-2 years old. Older trees do not take root well.

The scheme of the correct planting of cherries in the suburbs

Conclusion

Planting cherries in the spring in the Moscow region does not present any particular difficulties if the deadlines and technology are observed. Planting material must be purchased from trusted nurseries. Cherry varieties should be adapted to the conditions of the region. Proper planting and care guarantee bountiful harvests in 2-3 years. Cherry will delight the gardener with its fruits for 15-25 years.

How to plant cherries in the spring with seedlings in the Moscow region can be seen in this video: