Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium)
2 sources cited · Verified
The short answer
- Plant
- Early November to mid February
- Site
- 6+ hours of sun, soil pH 6–7
- Biggest risk
- Honey fungus
In the UK, sweet cherries go in the ground early November to mid February.
Sweet cherries (Prunus avium) — Deciduous tree, 20-50 years to full maturity.
Timing is the decision that matters most in the UK: sowing early November, and that same window applies across all 4 regions covered here.
Core growing advice on this page is checked against named horticultural sources — see References.
Regional Planting Calendar
| Region | Sow |
|---|---|
| Southern England | early November to mid February |
| Midlands | early November to mid February |
| Northern England | early November to mid February |
| Scotland | early November to mid February |
Southern England - detail & sources
RHS gives no seasonal sowing window (cherries are planted as grafted trees, not sown) -- planted bare-root in the dormant season, roughly November to February. Applied as one UK-wide window across all four sub-regions, matching the convention used for Apple, Pear, Plum and Damson.
Midlands - detail & sources
RHS gives no seasonal sowing window (cherries are planted as grafted trees, not sown) -- planted bare-root in the dormant season, roughly November to February. Applied as one UK-wide window across all four sub-regions, matching the convention used for Apple, Pear, Plum and Damson.
Northern England - detail & sources
RHS gives no seasonal sowing window (cherries are planted as grafted trees, not sown) -- planted bare-root in the dormant season, roughly November to February. Applied as one UK-wide window across all four sub-regions, matching the convention used for Apple, Pear, Plum and Damson.
Scotland - detail & sources
RHS gives no seasonal sowing window (cherries are planted as grafted trees, not sown) -- planted bare-root in the dormant season, roughly November to February. Applied as one UK-wide window across all four sub-regions, matching the convention used for Apple, Pear, Plum and Damson.
Quick Facts
At a Glance
Soil & Growing Conditions
Growth Stages
Harvest & Storage
Diseases
Pests
Sweet Cherry Photo Gallery
References
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Chalk, clay, loam or sand, acid/alkaline/neutral, moist-but-well-drained or well-drained. Full sun, any aspect, exposed or sheltered. Hardiness H6. Height 12m+, spread 8m+, 20-50 years to maturity. Propagate by chip budding, grafting, or softwood cuttings with bottom heat. Small shiny red-purple fruit. Pests: cherry blackfly, pear and cherry slugworm, winter moth caterpillars, spotted wing drosophila, birds. Diseases: peach leaf curl, silver leaf, bacterial canker, blossom wilt, honey fungus; high-risk host for Xylella fastidiosa. Native to GB/Ireland, Europe to Asia Minor/Caucasus/western Siberia. Family Rosaceae.
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Well-drained, deep, fertile soil essential -- performs very poorly on heavy or poorly drained ground. Mahaleb rootstock suits calcareous, drought-prone soil. Full sun. Trained on a central leader, widely spaced; height 10-50ft depending on rootstock. Self-unfruitful -- always plant two or more different varieties to cross-pollinate. USDA zones 5-8; less cold-tolerant than sour cherry. Harvest June-August; pick as soon as fruit is mature, since rain at this point can crack the fruit. Adequate, consistent soil moisture is important for fruit quality. Bird netting recommended during ripening; drought, winter injury and edema (waterlogging) are the main environmental risks.
2 independent sources are cited for this crop. Where they disagree - soil pH is the clearest case - every figure is preserved rather than averaged into false precision.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I sow sweet cherries in the UK?
In Southern England, from early November. In Scotland, wait until early November. Treat these as a guide rather than a fixed date — the governing rule is to sow only once frost risk has passed and temperatures are reliably warm enough.
When do I sow sweet cherries?
Sow early November to mid February.
What soil pH do sweet cherries need?
A pH of about 6–7. That span reflects genuine variation between the authorities we cite rather than a single agreed figure — the References section lists each source's exact range.
What problems affect sweet cherries?
Our data links 5 diseases and 5 pests to this crop. See the sections above for each one and how to manage it.
Plan next season before the problems start
Most of the advice on this page comes down to timing and spacing — sowing at the right moment, rotating beds, and giving plants enough airflow. The UK Garden Planner lays your plot out month by month so those decisions are already made before the season starts.
Get the UK Garden Planner →Instant PDF download · Written for UK growing conditions
Last verified 2026-09-03
Where To Go From Here
Take this crop from reading into a written plan for your own beds.
Plan the next step
Use the printable SoilCommander planner for your region to turn this guide into sowing dates, bed layouts and weekly garden tasks.