Growing Cherries

GROW YOUR OWN CHERRIES

Cherries are perfect for the summer and are very popular during Christmas.Cherries are something that all of us love and the best thing to do is to grow your own cherry tree in your backyard. The glitzy sweet cherry tree boasts gorgeous spring blossom and sweet summer fruit - a glamorous addition to any garden.If you to want to know how to grow a cherry tree, then just follow a few simple tips!

Sowing And Planting

• The first step in planting a cherry tree is to decide which kind of tree you want to plant. There are sweet cherries and sour cherries.
• Sow the seeds and cover lightly with soil. They will germinate in spring and develop leaves. After they are about a foot in height, you can transplant these saplings. 
• Alternatively you can purchase the plants directly and plant them.Purchase the tree from a reputable nursery.
• Cherry trees should be planted in the early spring.Cheery trees Prefer well drained soil, rich in potash and lime.
•  Dig a large hole in your prepared soil, 18-24 inches (45-60cms) depending on the age and variety of tree.
• Tease out the roots of your cherry plant.Place the root ball at the bottom of your hole and fill in with soil. Press down firmly. When all soil has been packed back in the hole, use your heel to firm the tree in place.
• If required, place a stake in the ground next to the tree. This should be done before planting the tree so as to minimize damage to the roots.
• Water well during the early stages, during long dry periods and when the fruit is developing. You could use a fertilizer once every six months. 

Pruning Cherry Tree

• Young cherries need pruning to develop the correct shape, and mature plants will produce a better crop if pruned to encourage fruiting wood.
• All cherry pruning should be carried out in the growing season. 
• This reduces the risk of infection by the spores of silver leaf disease which are most widespread in winter. Initial pruning and training of young trees is best carried out in spring, just as the buds are breaking. 
• Other pruning to correct problems and encourage fruiting should be carried out in summer once the fruit has been picked.

Harvesting And Storage

• It will take about three to five years for it to bear fruit.When the fruit begins to ripe and drop, it is ready to pick.Provided they've been picked when absolutely dry.
• Your yield should keep for several days if stored in a cool place. 
• Retain freshness by leaving the fruit on the sprigs. 
• Cherries freeze well but will need to be stoned first, which can be a sticky job.

Few Health Benefits Of Cherries

• Low Calorie fruit-Cherries are one of the very low calorie fruits; however, are rich source of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Both sweet as well as tart cherries are packed with numerous health benefiting compounds that are essential for wellness.
• Arthritis Benefits-According to the Arthritis Foundation, drinking tart cherry juice mixed with water three times a day may be beneficial for people with arthritis. This is due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
• Memory Booster-Anthocyanin in cherries is also good for the brain and has been shown to improve memory.
• Rejuvenating dull skin-Crush a handful of cherries with a folk and add two to three tablespoons of plain yogurt in it. Apply this paste on your skin for 20-30 minutes and then remove it.This recipe is excellent for rejuvenating dull skin.
• Sleep Aid-Cherries contain melatonin, a hormone that regulates the body's sleep cycles.

Cherry Ice Cream Recipe

Ingredients

• 12 oz. (1 1/2 cups) ripe sweet cherries, pitted
• 2 c. skim milk
• 1/2 c. fat-free plain yogurt
• 1/2 c. sugar
• pinch salt
• chopped cherries
• melted chocolate
• a few drops of red food coloring

Directions

• Put cherries, 1 3/4 c. milk, sugar, and salt into a medium sized saucepan over medium heat until the mixture is just barely forming bubbles around the edge. 
• Reduce the heat to low and let sit for 15 min. Pour the mixture into a blender and puree, being careful since the liquid is hot. 
• Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a medium sized bowl and discard the remaining bits.
• Stir in the remaining 1/4 c. milk and 1/2 c. yogurt. Chill the mixture in the fridge for at least 1 hour. 
• Pour mixture into bowl of ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer's instructions, 20-25 min. In the last five minutes of churning, add the chopped cherries and drizzle in some melted chocolate. 
• Put the ice cream in an airtight container and freeze for a few hours.