How to Grow Tart Cherries

Identify your growing zone. The U.S. Department of Agriculture divides North America into growing zones, identified by numbers that indicate the hardiness of particular types of plants. Tart cherry trees thrive when planted in zones 4 through 6, although they can be grown in areas slightly above and below the preferred zones.

Prepare the soil before buying trees. Loosen the soil with a shovel, digging out and discarding large rocks. Loosen the soil to a minimum depth of 18 inches. For multiple trees, space them out at least 14 feet apart to allow for adequate root growth.

Test the soil for proper pH levels. Tart cherries demand a pH level between 6.2 to 6.8, so add lime if the pH levels are too low, or add a nitrogen-based fertilizer if the pH is too high. Leave the soil to sit for one week after treatment, and test again until the pH level is acceptable for tart cherry trees.

Purchase trees from an established grower, and transport them during cool weather to minimize stress on the exposed root ball. Remove them from the pot, or gently cut away any gardening fabric if the root ball was wrapped before planting.

Trim off from the top of the tree off all branches that are less than 2 feet long. Remove branches that have a narrow crotch, which is an ideal host for fungus and disease. Removing them gives the tree a head start on healthy growth.

Place the young tree in the center of the hole, and fill halfway with soil. Tamp the soil down gently to create a tight seal around the root ball. Fill in the rest of the hole and press the ground around the base firmly with your feet. Slip a metal tree guard over the tree, pushing it into the ground to keep away rabbits and other small pests.

Give freshly planted trees a minimum of 2 gallons of water immediately after planting, to force air bubbles to the surface. Wait at least two weeks to water the tree again, and water every 14 days unless more than 1 inch of rain has fallen between watering. Over-watering is one of the fastest ways to kill tart cherry trees, so place a rain gauge near the trees.

Pull weeds around the base of the trunk as soon as they appear. Monitor the trees for signs of infestation or fungus. Apply a ring of nitrogen-based fertilizer each spring, per label instructions. Prune away branches that sprout less than 24 inches from the ground each winter. Balanced growth is necessary for proper flowering and cherry growth.