Crops › Cherry
How to grow Cherry
in the UK
Sow November to March, plant out December, harvest June to July. About 120 days from seed to plate.
Cherries, eh? Proper lovely when you get 'em, but I won't lie, they're not the easiest on the plot. A tree takes up a bit of space and some looking after, but there's nothing quite like picking your own sweet cherries straight from the branch. It's a bit of a commitment, but well worth the effort, to be honest.
Sowing
Now, when we say 'sow', with cherries we're actually talking about planting a young tree, not seeds. You can get bare-root trees over winter, from November right through to March, or container-grown ones any time of year when the ground isn't frozen solid. Pick a spot in full sun, like the app says, and dig a hole that's twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Make sure the top of the root ball is level with the soil, then backfill, firming it gently. Give it a good drink.
Growing on
Once your cherry tree's in, you'll want to give it a good start. For the first year or two, a proper stake will stop it wobbling about in the wind, which helps the roots get established. Keep an eye on the watering, especially in dry spells. You're aiming for a strong, healthy tree that'll give you years of fruit.
Looking after it
Cherries love a sunny spot, that's key. The blossom, though, can be a bit delicate, so if we get a late frost in May, you might need to throw some fleece over it overnight to protect those potential fruits. Pruning is best done in summer to avoid diseases, and once the fruits start to colour up, you'll want to net the tree. Otherwise, the birds will have 'em all before you even get a look in, you know what I mean.
What goes wrong
Birds are the main problem, like I say, they just love a cherry. Netting is your best bet to keep 'em off. You might get aphids too, little greenfly on the new shoots; a good spray of soapy water often sorts them out. The cherry fruit fly can be a nuisance, laying eggs in the fruit, which isn't nice. Keeping the area tidy and removing fallen fruit helps break their cycle.
Harvest
You'll be picking your cherries in June and July, about 120 days after the blossom sets. They're ready when they've got a good, deep colour and feel a bit soft to the touch. Pick them gently, keeping the stalks on, as this helps them last a bit longer. They don't keep for ages, only 2-3 days in the fridge, so if you've got a cracking glut, you'll want to preserve 'em in syrup or get 'em eaten quick!
My best advice? Don't skimp on the netting; a proper job will save you a lot of heartache when those fruits are ripening up.
Dates for your plot
Type the first half of your postcode and the plant-out advice shifts to your area's typical frost dates.
Varieties, and whether the club would grow them again
| Variety | Club verdict |
|---|---|
| Stella A cracking, reliable dessert cherry, known for its sweet flavour. This one's a good choice if you're wanting a proper sweet treat straight from the tree. | No club votes yet |
| Sunburst Another lovely dessert cherry that's well-suited for our UK climate. It's a reliable cropper for those who enjoy a juicy, sweet fruit. | No club votes yet |
| Morello This is a proper sour cherry, perfect for pies, jams, or making a lovely cherry brandy. If you're into baking or preserving, this is the one for you. | No club votes yet |
| Lapins A very popular and reliable dessert cherry, known for its good yields and sweet, firm fruits. A solid choice for anyone looking for consistent crops. | No club votes yet |
| Sweetheart True to its name, this dessert cherry offers sweet, heart-shaped fruits. It's a good later-season variety for extending your cherry harvest. | No club votes yet |
| Summer Sun This one's a lovely dessert cherry, giving you a good crop of tasty fruits. A dependable variety that usually does well on the allotment. | No club votes yet |
| Sylvia A dessert cherry that produces good quality, sweet fruits. It's a compact grower too, so good if space is a bit tighter on the plot. | No club votes yet |
| Regina Known for its large, firm, and very sweet fruits, Regina is a premium dessert cherry. If you're after top-notch flavour and size, this is a cracking choice. | No club votes yet |
| Merchant An early-fruiting dessert cherry that gives good yields of dark, sweet fruits. Great if you're keen to get your first cherries of the season. | No club votes yet |
| Kordia This dessert cherry is prized for its dark, firm, and very sweet fruits with excellent flavour. A really popular choice for its superb eating quality. | No club votes yet |
| Penny A lovely, late-season dessert cherry that produces large, sweet fruits. If you want to extend your fresh cherry supply right into summer, Penny's a good one. | No club votes yet |
| Colney This dessert cherry offers good flavour and reliable cropping. A solid, dependable choice for a home grower wanting consistent results. | No club votes yet |
Votes are members rating varieties in their Seed Tin, one vote per gardener. Tap a variety for the full page and where to buy.
Buy Cherry seeds
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Cook the harvest
Dense, fudgy dark chocolate brownies studded with fresh British cherries that turn jammy and intensely fruity as they bake. The bitter depth of 70% dark chocolate and the tart sweetness of the cherries create a combination that is genuinely irresistible. These are proper brownies — gooey in the centre with a crackled, papery top and rich enough to satisfy with a small square.
50 min · easyPlump British cherries are nestled into a rich, buttery almond frangipane inside a crisp shortcrust shell, creating a tart of extraordinary depth and fragrance. As it bakes, the cherries burst slightly, releasing their juice into the almond cream and creating pockets of jammy intensity. This is a classic summer showstopper that needs nothing more than a little cream alongside.
80 min · mediumA magnificent British trifle inspired by the Black Forest flavours of cherry, dark chocolate and cream. Layers of dark chocolate sponge soaked in kirsch syrup, plump cherries in their own syrup, rich chocolate custard and softly whipped cream are stacked in a glass bowl and finished with chocolate shavings. This is pure indulgent celebration.
65 min · mediumTender, juicy pork fillet pan-roasted and served with a glossy, sweet-sharp cherry sauce made from fresh cherries, red wine and a little balsamic vinegar. The savouriness of the pork and the fruit-forward sauce create a beautifully balanced plate that feels special but comes together in under forty minutes. Serve with new potatoes and greens.
40 min · mediumWatch for, and grow alongside
Companions: nasturtium, borage
Questions people ask
When do you sow Cherry in the UK?
Sow Cherry from November to March. Plant out December, after the last frost.
How long does Cherry take from sowing to harvest?
Roughly 120 days, with the harvest June to July.
Which Cherry varieties do gardeners grow again?
Club members rate every variety they grow. This page shows the grow-again votes for Stella, Sunburst, Morello, Lapins and more.
Track your Cherry from packet to plate
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.
Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 3 September 2026.