Growing sweet cherry

stone fruit

Pollination

Most need a second compatible sweet cherry. Self-fertile exceptions: 'Stella', 'Lapins', 'Black Gold', 'Sweetheart' - one of these can also pollinate the others.

Growing it

Zones 5-8. Needs well-drained soil; splits in rain near harvest. Net against birds.

Will you get enough chill?

Sweet Cherry needs roughly 700–1200 hours between 32 and 45 °F over winter to break dormancy evenly. Check your area with the chill hours calculator. Low-chill breeding has pushed many varieties well below the figure here, so read the plant tag.

Chill and pollination are given at the fruit-type level; specific cultivars can differ. Values are typical ranges for home-garden planning.