Zone 6 · Stone Fruit Growing Guide

When to Plant Cherry (Sour)
in Zone 6

Self-fertile, more cold-hardy than sweet cherry, and produces abundantly. Montmorency is the classic variety. Perfect for pies, preserves, and syrups.

Plant outdoors
Mar 1 – Apr 1
Start indoors
Direct sow
Last Frost
~Apr 1
Days to harvest
1–2 years to first harvest
Difficulty
Medium
Growing — Zone 6
Harvest window: May – Jul

Planting Calendar

In Zone 6, Cherry (Sour) should be planted outdoors Mar 1 – Apr 1, after the average last frost date of approximately Apr 1.

Very productive. Also excellent ornamental.

Care Guide

Sunlight
Full sun · 6–8 hrs/day
Watering
Regular
Spacing
144–216 inches
Soil
Well-draining, fertile loam
Days to maturity
1–2 years to first harvest
Soil pH
6.0–7.0
plant tip · Zone 6

Very productive. Also excellent ornamental.

Feeding Schedule

How often
twice a year
Feed type
balanced
Key timing
early spring and after harvest

Light feeder. Balanced feed in spring, potassium-rich feed after harvest. Sour cherries are more tolerant of average soil than sweet.

Companion Planting for Cherry (Sour)

What you plant next to cherry (sour) makes a real difference — some plants actively help, others compete or attract pests.

Grows well with
  • Comfrey
  • Chives
Keep away from
  • Grass competition

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Common questions

In Zone 6, direct sow cherry (sour) outdoors Mar 1 – Apr 1 after your last frost date of approximately Apr 1. Very productive. Also excellent ornamental.
Zone 6 has an average last spring frost of approximately Apr 1 and a first fall frost around Oct 31. These dates vary by specific location — use your ZIP code in the plant app for precision based on the nearest NOAA weather station.
Good companion crops for cherry (sour) include Comfrey, Chives. Avoid planting near Grass competition, which can compete for nutrients or attract pests.
Cherry (Sour) typically takes 1–2 years to first harvest from transplant or direct sow to harvest in Zone 6. Expected harvest window: May – Jul.

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Cherry (Sour) in other zones
Trees & Shrubs