How to Grow Your Own Organic Cherries

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Cherries are a favourite fruit of many. But most store-bought versions don’t taste of much, and are very expensive. Often wrapped in plastic.

Related to roses, plums, peaches, apricots and plums – cherries have been eaten since the Stone Age. There are over 1000 varieties worldwide, and unlike some fruits (like pears or bananas), they stop ripening as soon as they are picked.

Cherries are very delicate so need to be handled with care to avoid bruising. Cherry blossom trees (toxic to pets) are often only bred for ornamental flowers, with tiny inedible pits.

Cherries are one of the few natural food sources for melatonin, which is why drinking organic cherry juice an hour before bed, is a wonderful cure for insomnia. Cherries are also hydrating (80% water) and contain antioxidants to help reduce inflammation and gout.

What you need to grow organic cherries

Cherries are not the easiest fruits to grow in England, due to needing protection from our rainy climate, to avoid late frosts. Many cherry trees require partner trees for cross-pollination, so if you only have space for one tree, look for self-fertile sweet varieties (like Stella or Sunburst). Morello cooking cherry trees are also self-fertile, and better for north-facing walls.

Plant cherry trees in a warm sheltered spot that gets full sun (ideally south or west facing) and avoid ‘wet feet’ as over-watering will cause root rot. Cherries need well-drained slightly acidic soil, with generous garden compost mixed in.

Read up on pet-friendly gardens for plants and mulches (like cocoa) to avoid
Use humane non-toxic methods to deter slugs/snails
For indoor plants and greenhouses, use Feather Friendly bird tape to stop birds flying into windows (avoid facing indoor plants to face gardens).

Use fruit tree protectors (never use netting as this can trap birds and wildlife – pigeons and blackbirds love cherries, so be prepared to share some of the harvest when it’s removed during flowering, to let bees pollinate, or no fruit will develop).

Plant trees between November and March (to avoid frozen ground) and ensure the visible bump on the lower tree sits a few inches above the soil line, to prevent the upper tree from rooting.

Never prune cherry trees in winter, as this makes them prone to silver leaf diease and bacterial canker. Prune mid-to-late summer when the sap is flowing fast enough to seal wounds.

Where to buy sustainable cherry trees

If you can’t find sustainable cherry trees, buy online from Tamar Organics, Tom the Apple Man or Tree 2 My Door (including mini trees for mini spaces!)

Ways to eat fresh organic cherries

Avoid cherries for stone fruit allergies and people with digestive issues like IBS, kidney conditions, on blood thinners and salicylate sensitivity.

Avoid cherries for small children and swallowing difficulties.

Keep cherries away from pets due to fruit/pips seeds with natural cyanide. Domestic rabbits and guinea pigs should only have them as occasional treats (remove the pit, steam and leaves as all are toxic). Feed a small pitted slice (rabbits) or a small pitted cherry (guinea pigs).