Species guide
Tart Cherries
7 tart cherry varieties with cited chill-hour, zone, and pollination data. Most are self-fertile.
Variety catalog
- Balatonchill —zones 4–9 (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)self-fertile
- Early Richmond~700 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones 4–9 (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)self-fertile
- English Morello~500 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones 4–9 (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)self-fertile
- Evans Bali400–700 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones 3–9self-fertile
- Meteor~800 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones 4–9 (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)self-fertile
- Montmorency~500 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones 4–7self-fertile
Large, crack-resistant red fruit with firm yellow flesh
- North Star~500 chill hrs (Figure from a nursery catalog; no extension-published value.)zones 4–8self-fertile
(est.) marks our clearly-labeled estimate where no source publishes a figure (hover for the basis); dashed badges cite nursery catalogs rather than extension sources; “—” means nobody publishes that figure for the variety.
Growing tart cherries: the basics
Tart (sour) cherries are compact, self-fertile trees, so a single tree in full sun and well-drained soil will set fruit — a forgiving choice for a small home orchard.
Sun & site
Tart cherries need full sun — a site that receives at least eight hours of direct sun each day. Choose a spot with good drainage, since these trees are prone to root rot in wet, poorly drained ground.
Soil
Cherries perform best in moist, well-drained, fertile soil. Avoid saturated or poorly drained sites, where the risk of root problems rises. Soil that holds moisture but drains freely gives the best results.
Pollination & spacing
Sour cherries are self-fertile, so only one tree is needed for pollination and fruit set — no second variety is required. Space trees according to their mature height so the canopy has room to fill out; dwarfing rootstocks keep trees smaller and easier to manage in tight gardens.
Watering & first years
Established trees need roughly an inch of water a week. Young trees — those planted within the last few years — have smaller root systems and need more frequent watering; apply enough to saturate the whole root zone rather than a light surface sprinkle, especially during dry spells.
Planting
Plant in early spring, once the soil has thawed and can be worked. Give the roots room in the planting hole and water in well to settle soil around them as the tree begins to establish.
Where this guide comes from
This growing guide is drawn from the university-extension sources below.
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Growing Cherries in the Home Garden — accessed July 2026
Plan the year
Month-by-month tart cherry care, anchored to each zone’s typical frost dates: