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Tart Cherry variety

Meteor

The short answer

Meteor requires 800 chill hours[1] and grows in USDA zones 4–9[1]. It is self-fertile[1].

Growing facts

Meteor growing facts
Chill requirement800 chill hours[1] (nursery figure)
HardinessUSDA zones 4–9[1] (nursery figure)
PollinationSelf-fertile[1]
Harvest windowJuly[2]
Years to bearing3–5 years (typical for tart cherries)[3]
Meteor tart cherrySpecies illustration — no historical watercolor exists for this cultivar

Notes

  • Self-pollinating; a University of Minnesota release selected for cold hardiness.[1]
  • Ripens about one week later than Montmorency (late July).[1]

A year with your Meteor

When the work happens for a tart cherry in USDA zone 7, anchored to typical frost dates.

Months for pruning, thinning, spray-timing windows, and harvest for Tart Cherry in zone 7
TaskJFMAMJJASOND
Prune——————————
Spray timing——————
Harvest——————————
Care——————————

See the full month-by-month tart cherry calendar for zone 7 →

Can I grow Meteor where I live?

Check the verdict for a few regions, or your exact ZIP:

Growing a Meteor? Get its care calendar for your exact ZIP code, with email reminders.

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Questions

How many chill hours does Meteor need?
Meteor needs 800 chill hours.
What hardiness zones suit Meteor?
Meteor grows in USDA zones 4–9.
Is Meteor self-pollinating?
Meteor is self-fertile, though a pollination partner can improve cropping.

Sources

  1. [1] Dave Wilson Nursery. Cherries — DWN Variety Finder product list — accessed July 2026
  2. [2] Utah State University Extension (Intermountain Tree Fruit Production Guide). Varieties for Utah — Cherry — accessed July 2026
  3. [3] Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. How soon will a newly planted fruit tree begin to bear fruit? (Yard and Garden FAQ) — accessed July 2026