Cherry planting and care in the open field in the Leningrad region

Sweet cherry is a tree that is rightfully called one of the most beautiful fruit trees in the garden. It is a thermophilic plant that thrives best in the south. But breeders have long bred many varieties for a more severe climate, for example, for the Leningrad region. Planting and caring for them is not much different. Therefore, even an inexperienced gardener can grow cherries, receiving a generous harvest of delicious berries every year.

Cherry varieties for the Leningrad region

In the Leningrad region, you can plant many varieties of cherries for every taste.

Early varieties:

• "Orlovskaya Yantarnaya": easily tolerates frosts, is resistant to a fungus called coccomycosis, has large fruits (5.5-6 g) of yellow-pink color;
• "Home garden yellow": winter-hardy, gives a rich harvest of sweet and sour berries;
• "Raditsa": a small tree with a compact crown, produces dark red fruits;
• "Chermashnaya": easily tolerates frosty winter, gives juicy and sweet yellow cherries 4.5 g each, the variety is resistant to fungi;
• "Ovstuzhenka": a small tree with a crown in the form of a ball, produces dark red fruits weighing 5 g;
• "Iput": easily tolerates frosts, winds, gives large, almost black fruits up to 9 g.

Cherry Ovstuzhenka

Mid-season varieties:

• "Revna": resistant to coccomycosis, easily tolerates winter, the fruits are dark red;
• "Victory": gives a rich harvest of red berries, is not afraid of fungal diseases, resistant to winter;
• "Fatezh": a tree of medium height with a spreading crown, shaped like a ball, gives sweet and sour pink-red berries.

Late-ripening cherry varieties:

• "Bryansk pink": yields a harvest 5 years after planting, resistant to diseases, gives pink fruits with a juicy yellow pulp inside;
• "Tyutchevka": the variety is resistant to moniliosis, gives very tasty dark red fruits weighing 5-6 g.

Cherry Fatezh

Rules for planting and caring for cherries

Sweet cherries can be planted on the site both in autumn and spring. In the Leningrad Region, this is best done at the end of April. In the fall, more time is allowed for planting cherries. This can be done from the beginning of September to the end of October. The main thing is that the seedling takes root before frost, then the young tree will well endure the first winter in the open field.

For cherries, it is very important to choose the right place for planting. Since this plant is from the south, despite the variety, it should choose a sunny spot in the garden. This place should be inaccessible to cold northerly winds, so it is better that a tall fence, buildings or other trees cover the cherry on the north side. At the same time, no shadow should fall on the cherries. The best soil for this fruit tree is sandy loam soils and loam with medium to neutral pH. The groundwater level should be no higher than 2 m.

Advice.It is undesirable to plant sweet cherries in a lowland, where there is often a high level of groundwater. In this case, the roots of the tree will rot and the plant will soon die.

As for caring for cherries, you need to follow the following rules:

1. This tree is afraid of weeds, so you need to regularly weed the area around the trunk and under the entire crown.
2. Cherry loves watering, but it cannot be done with cold water. Therefore, the water must be preheated in the sun, and the earth around the trunk must be loosened well. This should be done three times per season.
3. After watering, cherries need to be fed with organic solutions. For this, urea or manure is used. In this case, you need to be extremely careful so that fertilizer does not fall on the bare root collar. Otherwise, it may start to rot.
4. The tree needs to be pruned annually.
5. Once every 5 years, the soil near the cherries should be limed.

Protection of cherries from birds, cold, pests and diseases

Not only people love to feast on cherries, so the tree must be protected. Primarily from birds. Fortunately, not every garden is attacked by birds. But, if such a problem appears, a special mesh should be thrown over the crown of the tree.

For the middle lane, choose cold-tolerant varieties.

Among insects, cherry aphids, moths, weevils, and cherry slimy sawflies love to feast on. This tree is afraid of fungal diseases such as moniliosis, clasterosporia, coccomycosis. To protect cherries from diseases and pests, you need to follow the rules of agricultural technology, remove and destroy fallen leaves, broken off branches, diseased shoots.

Advice. Those who do not want to use pesticides on the site can fight diseases and pests with the help of a solution of laundry soap, infusions of tobacco, ash, dandelion, garlic and onions.

As for the cold, even frost-resistant varieties often need additional protection. Interestingly, it is not winter frosts that are especially dangerous, but late spring frosts. The trees are saved from them with the help of smoke.

Sweet cherry is not just delicious berries, but also a gorgeous bloom in May. It is a pleasure to observe this tree from the veranda and inhale the sweet scent of its flowers. Almost the same as eating its fruits.

How to grow cherries in the middle lane: video

Sweet cherry in the middle lane: photo

A horticultural culture like cherry is not for nothing that it has earned recognition among many gardeners in the northwest. It is famous not only for its delicious and healthy fruits, but also for its external data, such as attractiveness and decorativeness. Now it rightfully occupies huge areas not only in amateur, but also in industrial gardens.

Even though the low winter temperatures characteristic of these areas, often reaching critical levels, are not entirely suitable for this fruit crop, it is cultivated in almost all summer cottages.

The only condition for this southern culture not only to please the eye, but also to bring a sufficient amount of delicious berries is that cherry varieties for the Leningrad region should only have zoned ones. Then there will be no special problems when growing this unpretentious plant.

Nuances of growing cherries in the northwest

The critical weather conditions that mostly accompany winters in the Leningrad Region are not good enough for cherry cultivation. But despite this, very often it can be found in many gardens and summer cottages in the northwestern region. Any difficulties are overcome by amateur gardeners in order to have a cherry tree on their plots.

In addition to the correct choice of the variety of this plant, there are several more secrets that are used when planting and caring for cherries so that they please not only with their decorative effect, but also with an abundance of tasty and healthy fruits. They are as follows:

When choosing a cherry for the Leningrad region, varieties should be taken only with good winter hardiness in order to prevent the plant from freezing under adverse weather conditions.

Also only self-pollinating plants are required.

Neutral, and in the most extreme case, slightly acidic soils are best suited for a tree, since the more acidity, the worse the cherry grows and bears fruit.

The best time to plant is in spring, before bud breaks begin. And the place should be chosen well-lit by the sun for at least 6 hours a day. If the gardener observes these rules, he will be assured of an excellent harvest of wonderful fruits. And the plant will not cause problems during the growing season.

Felt cherry - advantages for growing in the Leningrad region

When choosing a seedling, you should pay attention to a variety such as felt cherry. In recent years, he has found a large number of admirers in the northwest region due to his remarkable economic and biological qualities.

Felt cherry has become practically the best crop for the Leningrad Region. In addition to high winter hardiness, it has such features necessary for successful cultivation in the northwest as the absence of root growth, excellent germination and a very early entry into the fruiting period.

Felt cherry varieties for the Leningrad Region are completely diverse. They are obtained as a result of selection, crossing with other fruit crops. This provides gardeners with a good alternative for choosing the right plant.

Vladimirskaya cherry - a favorite of gardeners

Another variety that has earned the recognition of gardeners in the Leningrad Region is Vladimirskaya cherry. Its main advantage is the versatility of the fruit. They have such great taste that they used to be served to royal families. They are good both fresh and processed.

In addition to the excellent taste properties of the fruit, the advantage of this plant can be called the fact that it has a shrub-like shape, and this is an indisputable advantage for the unstable northwestern climate.

Cherry Vladimirskaya is such a variety that was bred by folk selection, Therefore, the plant does not require any subtleties in care, which is very convenient for the average summer resident who does not have too much time. For this plant, timely feeding and pruning of branches is enough, as well as protection from rodents, who always want to feast on the bark of a tree in winter.

What other varieties are good for cultivation in the Leningrad Region?

In addition to the above varieties, ruby ​​cherry (steppe) is also popular. She has excellent breeding qualities. Among them, one can distinguish such as excellent winter hardiness, high yield and excellent quality of fruits. In addition, this variety has received a high production rating. Its fruits are medium in size, weighing up to 4 grams and having a juicy, sour-sweet pulp.

And I would like to say about one more variety that has found many admirers in the Leningrad Region. This is Amorel Nikiforova - cherry, which is also bred through folk selection. A distinctive feature of this variety is the rather early ripening of the fruits, which are ready for consumption in mid-June. Plants of this variety tolerate winter very well.

Cherry for the Leningrad region of the Denisena yellow variety is also famous for its good frost resistance and yield. Although it is of unknown origin, it has many positive qualities, thanks to which it has become widespread in the gardens and in the personal plots of Petersburgers.

Which cherry shape is best for the Leningrad region: shrub or tree-like?

Since the northwest region is a risky gardening area, not all cherry varieties can not only grow well here, but also bear fruit well, which is the main requirement of any gardener. The right choice is of great importance, and not only practical, but also economic. You should pay attention to such a species as bush cherry.

Many amateur gardeners are often faced with the phenomenon that a cherry tree has an abundant color in spring only in its lower part. No wonder. After all, this plant has a weak winter hardiness of flower buds, and therefore those that in winter turned out to be above the snow cover, with a critical drop in temperature, simply froze out. That is why bush cherry has the greatest benefits. In winter, almost all of it turns out to be under the snow, which protects it from freezing.

Proper care of cherries is the key to a good harvest

Abundant fruiting is not only about choosing the right variety. It can be achieved by good care of this culture. Since most cherry varieties are self-fertile, that is, not capable of self-pollination, a pollinator cherry should be planted on or near the site.

It is necessary to pay attention to the feeding of cherries, especially during the fruiting period, when the plant needs additional nutrients. But it should be borne in mind that in the fall you need to apply only phosphorus and potash fertilizers, as well as compost, but for nitrogen-containing ones, the most appropriate time is early spring.

Also, do not forget about watering. While cherries are considered to be highly drought tolerant, they are best watered during hot and dry weather. In this case, the yield of berries increases, and they are larger in size.

Until recently, the list of fruit crops recommended for growing in the North-West of Russia and in the Non-Black Earth Region was very small. Gardeners could only dream that someday a cherry tree specially bred for the Leningrad region would appear in their gardens, the varieties of which would withstand difficult winter conditions and a cool, not at all southern summer.

Today the situation is gradually changing, and enthusiasts are happy to share their successes in obtaining stable yields of these delicious, beloved by many fruits.

Difficulties of growing cherries in the Northwest

In the Soviet Union, the main focus of breeders was on crops that were grown on an industrial scale, rather than in small private gardens. Therefore, initially thermophilic cherries could be seen south of Voronezh and Donetsk, in Moldova. There were simply no varieties for the middle zone, and even more so for the northwestern zone. Since the breeding work takes more than one year, and it is followed by field trials of new plants, officially there are no cherry varieties for the northwest in the State Register until then.

A natural obstacle in the way of culture is the lack of self-fertile varieties of sweet cherry for the Leningrad region. To ensure cross-pollination, you need to plant at least 2-3 winter-hardy varieties in the neighborhood, otherwise the number of ovaries on the branches is reduced by 90-95%.

And yet, summer residents near St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad and other regions of the northwestern zone do not despair. Several varieties have already proven their endurance, frost resistance and productivity in practice, and enthusiastic gardeners borrowed a number of varieties from their colleagues in the Central region of Russia.

Cherry varieties for the Leningrad region

When choosing a variety for planting on your own site, it is better to give preference to already tested and well-proven varieties. First of all, it is worth paying attention to the cherries bred by the local Pavlovsk experimental station VIR, located in the vicinity of St. Petersburg.

Cherry Leningradskaya black

One of the most frost-resistant and unpretentious varieties for the Leningrad region, the middle zone and even the Chernozem region. The weight of dark, almost black fruits reaches 4 - 4.5 grams. Under the dense skin, there is a sweet, pleasantly piquant pulp and a medium-sized bone. Tasting score - from 4 to 4.2 points.

Today, in the arsenal of summer residents of the North-West, not only Leningrad black cherry, but also varieties of this variety with yellow, pink and bright red fruits.

Cherry varieties Zorka

A vigorous cherry variety with increased winter hardiness for the Leningrad region bears fruits weighing from 4.5 to 5 grams, pinkish-yellow thin skin and creamy pulp. Among the advantages of the variety is a high expert assessment of taste, which is 4.5 points, as well as excellent yield.

Cherry varieties suitable for planting in the Leningrad Region were bred not only by the local experimental station. Many excellent cherry varieties for central Russia were obtained through the efforts of the All-Russian Research Institute of Lupine, located near Bryansk.

Cherry Revna

Gardeners have long appreciated the widely rounded, almost black fruits of the Revna cherry variety, gaining weight from 4.5 to 7.5 grams. Winter-hardy, resistant to common diseases, sunburn and freezing, the variety begins to bear fruit by the age of 5, in the presence of pollinators, regularly delighting with cherries of excellent appearance and taste, deserving 4.9 points.

Cherry Bryanochka

Since 2006, this variety has been on state trials, but today it is already clear that its dark red fruits with dense pulp and excellent taste can ripen not only in the Non-Black Earth Region, but also near St. Petersburg. The average weight of a sweet cherry varies from 4.5 to 7 grams. The taste score is 4.7 points. In harsh winters, trees can be affected by frost, but over the summer, fast-growing shoots restore damage. Cherry also shows high resistance to diseases.

Sweet cherry varieties Bryansk pink

The elegant fruits of this variety with sweet yellow pulp and creamy red ruddy skin weigh from 4 to 5.5 grams. Due to the frost resistance of trees and their excellent resistance to fungi, cracking and rot, the summer resident will not be left without a crop even in unfavorable years.

Cherry Rechitsa

Another Bryansk cherry variety for the Leningrad region demonstrates similar qualities. Only fruits ripening in the middle period for the middle lane weighing 4.9-5.8 grams have a thick burgundy color, the same pulp and a more intense sweet taste.

Cherry Teremoshka

In 2201, the Teremoshka cherry variety appeared in the State Register, successfully surviving frosts down to -34 ° C and suffering little from long-term spring frosts in the North-West region. Sweet dark red fruits weighing 5–6.5 grams deserve 4.7 points.

Cherry variety Fatezh

The Fatezh variety is well known to many gardeners in Russia. Among its advantages are the highest winter hardiness, disease resistance and excellent yield, on a par with old varieties of cherries. Attractive red-yellow fruits gain weight from 4 to 6 grams and, thanks to the dessert taste with a slight sourness, will appeal to all gourmets.

In addition to the listed varieties of cherries, varieties such as Tyutchevka, Ovstuzhenka, Odrinka and Lena shown in the photo are suitable for planting in the Leningrad Region.

Features of planting and caring for cherries in the Leningrad region

The main trouble of summer residents who decided to grow cherries in the middle lane or to the north is the freezing of young seedlings, growth and flower buds, as well as perennial wood on large, already fruiting trees.

To prevent this from happening, you need to pick up the most hardy winter-hardy varieties, and also remember that cherries do not have self-fertile varieties, and in the Leningrad region, as elsewhere, it is required to plant 2-4 varieties for cross-pollination.Pollinators are selected taking into account the close flowering time and high requirements for frost resistance.

How to preserve the harvest of cherries - video

The cold climate requires gardeners of the Leningrad region to be especially careful when choosing a cherry variety - initially a southern and rather delicate plant. Fortunately, there are many zoned varieties that are hardy and cold-resistant. The best cherry varieties for the Leningrad region are in our review.

Vladimirskaya

An old and popular variety. Frost-resistant, but freezing of flower buds is possible, especially during frosts in spring. Benefits: Resistant to dry, hot weather, rot, infections and scab (especially important in wet climates).

The first crop can be harvested 4–5 years after planting the seedling. Self-infertile, suitable pollinating neighbors - Lyubskaya, Shubinka, Turgenevka.

The plant is bushy, multi-stemmed, 3-5 m, but grafted grows as a single-stemmed plant. Spherical, slightly weeping crown. The buds bloom in early May. Harvesting begins after mid-July. On annual shoots 80–85% of fruits are formed. In the Leningrad Region, you can get about 5 kg of berries per tree per year.

Ripe fruits are dark almost to black, sweet and sour in taste, with small seeds. They are consumed fresh and used for the preparation of preserves. They tolerate freezing without losing taste. They tolerate transportation well.

Ruby

Zoned in the north-western region since 1974. Frost-resistant. It can be affected by coccomycosis, but it has good immunity to moniliosis.

The height of the tree is up to 2.5 m, its crown is dense, spreading and wide. The variety is self-fertile, Vladimirskaya and Otechestvennaya serve as good pollinators.

Medium-late variety: buds open at the end of May. The technical ripeness of the fruit begins in early August. Up to 40% of berries are tied on one-year shoots, 60% on two- or three-year-olds.

Juicy and tender berries weigh 3.5-4 g. They contain more acids than sugars. Flesh with a yellowish tinge. It is easy to separate the stone, but the stalk comes off with the release of juice, so the transportability of the variety is low. The juice is clear.

Star

Early ripe fruitful cherry for the Leningrad region. Cold resistance similar to felt cherry, generative buds are able to withstand significant cold. The immunity to the defeat of coccomycosis is average.

The variety is high, the crown is in the form of a pyramid. Begins to bear fruit on average in the 3rd year of life. Partially self-fertile, but in order to achieve a large yield, pollinators are needed - Wreath or Seedling No. 1. The variety responds very well to cherry pollination. Most of the berries are formed on last year's growths. The berries ripen at the beginning of July.

Cherries weigh up to 4 g, which are distinguished by bright red skin, light pink juice and pulp. The taste is delicate, refreshing, sweet and sour. The bones are easily separated.

Lyubskaya

It is resistant to cold, like other varieties suitable for the Leningrad region. Does not require abundant watering, withstands drought. Excellent self-fertile characteristics allow large yields to be harvested even without pollinators nearby. Weak immunity to fungus.

For the first time bears fruit at 2-3 years of age. Maturation occurs in early August.

Berries up to 4 g, tasty, rich burgundy color. Scarlet juice. Due to its transportability, the variety is suitable for commercial cultivation.

The early flowering inherent in the variety can be a problem: if return frosts occur in the spring, this affects the harvest. Cherry planting is recommended on light or medium loamy soils.

Shpanka Shimskaya

Belongs to the best cherry varieties for the Leningrad region. It can withstand frost down to -35 ° C, long winters and frosts in spring. Quite a strong immunity to coccomycosis, with a high yield.Planting and leaving is not particularly difficult; in terms of endurance, it resembles a felt cherry.

The variety is high, up to 6 m in height. The crown is spherical, of medium density. Refers to tree species.

The first harvest gives 3-4 years of cultivation. Self-infertile, to get a good harvest, you can plant Amorel Nikiforov or Vladimirskaya nearby. Lives up to 25 years.

Gardeners appreciate this variety for its large (5–6 g) berries, their pleasant aroma and refreshing acidity. The skin is purple, the flesh is yellow in contrast, the juice is transparent. For commercial breeding, the variety is not very suitable due to the low rates of transportability and keeping quality, but in private farms the fruits are used both fresh and for baking, conservation and even winemaking.

Amorel Nikiforova

This frost-resistant and fruitful cherry was zoned for the Leningrad region in 1959.

The variety is medium-sized, 2.5–3 m. In mature trees, it becomes rather spreading. Own-rooted plants give a harvest 3-4 years after planting, grafted plants - at 2-3 years of age. The variety is partially self-fertile, suitable pollinators Shubinka and Shpanka Shimskaya. Flowers bloom at the end of May. You can start harvesting towards the end of July.

Cherries are medium in size - 2.5-3 g, tender. The pulp looks interesting: red with yellow veins. The juice is clear. Detachment from the stalk occurs with the release of sap, therefore commercial breeding is not recommended. Usually fruits are eaten fresh, they are of little use for conservation or storage.

Crimson

Although the variety is zoned mainly for the central region, due to its good winter hardiness, this cherry can often be seen in the gardens of the Leningrad region.

The description of the variety is as follows: bushy variety up to 2 m, self-fertile. Good pollinators: Griot Moscow, Shubinka, Pink bottle. It is also appreciated for its early ripeness: the berries ripen in the first half of July. Fruits are large, dark red, weighing 3.5–3.7 g, with a refreshing, pleasant taste.

Dessert Volga

Cherries of the Dessertnaya Volzhskaya variety are valued for their good winter hardiness: like felt cherries, they are suitable for growing in cold climates.

A tree up to 3 m with a slightly thickened crown. Partially self-fertile, for pollination they plant Vladimirskaya, Rastunya, Finaevskaya nearby. Grafted trees bear fruit from 2-3 years, self-rooted - from 3-4. It is very fruitful: proper cherry care will bring up to 12 kg of berries from an adult plant.

Berries weighing 3.2 g, glossy, burgundy, ripen in mid-July. The pulp is pinkish-red and juicy. The juice is red. The berries are easily removed from the stalk, but they themselves hardly crumble.

Zarnitsa

Recommended for cold regions. Frost resistance at the level of felt cherry. Fruiting begins 2-3 years after planting. Fruits are formed mainly on annual shoots. The harvest ripens in early August.

The berries are small - about 2 g. The skin and pulp are dark red. Average density, harmonious taste, sweet and sour. The stone is medium. The peduncle is weakly attached. Used fresh and for preservation, these cherries make delicious jam.

Video "How to care for cherries"

Learn how to care for cherries in this video.