Sour Cherry

Growing

Unlike sweet cherries, sour cherry varieties like Montmorency often fruit on younger wood, which allows for more aggressive pruning. Avoid heavy pruning during the dormant winter months; prune in the spring instead. A standard-sized tree can be fan trained, but for smaller garden spaces, look for dwarfing rootstocks like Colt or Gisella. During the spring, protect your blossoms from late frosts, and consider applying a natural seaweed solution to support new growth.

Maintain a clean area around the base of the tree by weeding and applying mulch. Because these cherries do not continue to ripen once off the branch, harvest them when fully ripe and ready to use. Once picked, keep the fruit unwashed to prevent spoilage. For long-term use, freeze the fruit, can it, or dry the cherries to use in seasonal pies, tarts, and savory pork dishes. With an abundance, the pulp makes jams, syrups, or traditional fermented beverages.