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Variety fit — South Dakota

Can I grow Stella sweet cherry in South Dakota?

The verdict

Yes

  • Your zone 5a and typical 1196 chill hours both suit this variety.

Based on South Dakota’s main growing area (57104): zone 5a, ~1,196 chill hours. Your exact site may differ — check your ZIP.

The numbers

Stella requirements vs. South Dakota climate
Stella chill requirement400–500 chill hours
Stella hardinessUSDA zones 5–9
South Dakota average chill (57104)1,196 hours (813–1,346 across 10 winters)
South Dakota zone (57104)USDA zone 5a
Stella sweet cherrySpecies illustration — no historical watercolor exists for this cultivar

Keep checking

Or the same verdict for another region:

Planting a Stella in South Dakota? Get its care calendar for your exact ZIP code, starting with this month’s tasks for one tree, free.

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Questions

Can I grow Stella sweet cherry in South Dakota?
Yes — Your zone 5a and typical 1196 chill hours both suit this variety.

Planting a Stella? Gear that helps

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Before you plantMySoil mail-in soil test kitLab-grade pH and nutrient analysis with amendment recommendations — worth doing before you plant.View on Amazon →First-year wateringTreegator slow-release watering bag20 gallons drips over 5–9 hours — the easiest way to keep a first-year tree consistently watered.View on Amazon →Bark protectionExpandable trunk protectors (5-pack)Stops rabbit, vole, and mower damage on young bark — cheap insurance for a new orchard.View on Amazon →

Sources

  1. [1] Open-Meteo / Copernicus ERA5. Historical Weather API (hourly 2m temperature) — accessed July 2026
  2. [2] USDA / PRISM (Oregon State University). 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map — accessed July 2026
  3. [3] Utah State University Extension (Intermountain Tree Fruit Production Guide). Varieties for Utah — Cherry — accessed July 2026
  4. [4] Dave Wilson Nursery. Cherries — DWN Variety Finder product list — accessed July 2026