Jun 30, 2025

Fresh Views: Cherry Choice: Successfully growing cherries

Growing cherries is both a rewarding and challenging endeavor. My family has been farming since 1935, starting with apples. However, as it became very difficult to harvest a small apple crop for profit, we shifted to planting cherries. 

There are many factors to consider when deciding to plant a cherry orchard, with climate being one of the most critical. As many may know, in January 2024, British Columbia, Canada, experienced a fast drop in temperature that caused the majority of stone fruit buds to freeze. This resulted in significant strain for many farms, including ours, as we had no crop that year. It was a surprising setback, but we are pushing forward. 

The impact of climate on farming is undeniable. Along with climate, there are many other important factors that need careful consideration when planning a cherry orchard.

Varieties

When selecting a variety of sweet cherries, it’s important to consider the climate and growing conditions of your area. Sweet cherries generally require a warmer climate. Some varieties may need cross-pollination, so it’s important to choose compatible varieties to ensure good fruit set. When deciding on cherry varieties, you also must determine what rootstock you want to plant on. The size, hardness and soil compatibility of rootstocks can differ.

Soil prep and nutrients

Soil tests are helpful because they give you important information about your soil’s pH, nutrient levels and organic matter. Adding organic matter, like wood chips, can improve soil aeration, helping roots grow better and allowing water to drain more effectively. This creates a healthier environment for your cherry trees and helps them get the nutrients they need.

Irrigation

A consistent watering schedule is needed to maintain healthy trees. Drip irrigation works well by delivering water directly to the roots, ensuring the trees get the moisture they need. 

Fertigation, which involves adding fertilizer to the irrigation system, can be utilized to simplify nutrient delivery. When setting up your irrigation system, you’ll need to do some calculations to determine the right PSI and water flow for the emitters. Once it’s installed, regular maintenance is necessary, like flushing out any buildup and cleaning or replacing the filters to keep the system running smoothly.

Pruning/tree training

Pruning is essential for keeping cherry trees healthy and productive. Proper pruning techniques enhance air circulation, sunlight exposure and yield, while making harvesting easier and reducing the risk of damage from tractors, ladders or human error. Improved air circulation helps reduce the risk of powdery mildew, which thrives in humid, damp conditions. Use the correct tools that are sharp, and make clean cuts to minimize tree damage.

Pest and disease management

Cherries are susceptible to pests and potentially diseases. Spray scheduling is so important when it comes to the harvest date. You want a controlled orchard so you’re able to take your fruit to market. Management practices must follow certain regulations. The consistent use of certain pesticide, herbicide or fungicide groups can cause the issues to be more resistant. So, a rotation of these groups will help decrease your chances for arising issues.

Harvest/postharvest handling

Cherries are a delicate fruit that need to be handled with care, particularly by the skilled dedicated employees when picking and placing them into totes or bins. It’s important to closely monitor harvesting  to pick cherries at the right time for the best quality. After harvesting, cherries are usually placed in a hydrocooler to lower the temperature. Keeping the cherries cool from picking to packaging is key to helping them stay fresh and last longer.

Growing cherries requires careful planning, attention to detail and a deep understanding of various factors that contribute to successful orchard management. 

Alicea Shukin is a fourth generation cherry grower and horticulturist for Shukin Orchards in Creston, British Columbia, where she has worked as a horticulturist and farmhand since 2016. After graduating high school, she pursued her passion for horticulture by earning a horticulture degree from Olds College of Agriculture & Technology in Olds, Alberta, in 2023.