In order for all the fruit and berry trees in the garden to produce a good harvest, you need to take into account the soil and light conditions each of them needs, as well as the neighborhood. Experienced gardeners draw up a “map” - a diagram of the site where all the trees and their age are marked. Proper proximity will provide crops with abundant fruiting and protection from diseases and pests. Let's look at what trees and bushes can be planted next to the cherries to provide them with the best conditions.
What should you consider when choosing roommates?
In your own garden or vegetable garden, you can grow cherries next to any other plants, if you place them at a safe distance from each other.
The choice of location for plants is based on several criteria:
- soil composition;
- depth of groundwater;
- illumination;
- windy;
- influence on neighboring cultures.
Trees are planted nearby, the roots of which lie at different depths so that they do not compete for nutrients. It is important that the crowns of neighboring trees do not overlap the light-loving cherry. They also take into account which trees can serve as pollinators for neighboring ones.
What is cherry compatible with?
Stone fruits planted next to each other in the garden are a good solution. A simple way out is to plant different varieties of cherries in groups so that the taller ones do not block the light of the lower ones and at a sufficient distance from one another. She is also friends with other stone fruits, for example, plums. You can plant cherries nearby, such proximity will increase the yield.
Due to the wide superficial root system, it is not recommended to plant currant and raspberry bushes nearby so that the roots do not intertwine and there is no deficiency of minerals and nutrition from the soil.
Let's look at examples of successful compatibility with plants common in gardens.
Cherries
Stone fruits are good neighbors; you should not place only dwarf and tall varieties nearby so that the branches do not block the sun. If hybrid varieties grow in the garden, they will be pollinated by nearby cherries, which will have a positive effect on the yield of both crops.
Depending on the height and diameter of the crown of specific varieties distance between cherries and cherries should be 5-8 m.
plum tree
Plum is also a stone fruit; in the vicinity of cherries it does not absorb nutrients from the soil and does not block the light. These plants help protect each other from diseases. Plant them at a distance of 5 m from each other, so that the branches do not touch.
Elder
A useful neighbor, the smell of elderberries repels cherry aphids, and the branches and roots of plants do not interfere with one another. Cilantro has a similar antiparasitic effect.
Honeysuckle
Low-growing honeysuckle bushes love partial shade, so they can be planted under stone fruits, at a distance of 2 m from the trunk of the plant.
Grape
The vine is undemanding to the neighborhood; it is planted under fruit crops at a distance of at least 1 meter. You need to make sure that the grape shoots do not creep onto the trunk and branches; otherwise, the plants do not cause problems next to each other.
In the shade of the dense crown, small ornamental plants are planted, which love shade and do not create problems for the root system. These include periwinkle, budra, creeping tenacious, beautiful snowdrops and primrose, fragrant mint and lemon balm.
Unwanted neighbors
It is not recommended to plant bushes and trees closer than 1 meter from the cherry tree trunk. The danger comes from proximity to crops that are carriers of dangerous diseases and pests. Proximity to tall, spreading trees deprives cherries of the amount of sunlight they need for good growth and fruiting.
Cherry trees suffer next to all nightshade crops, apple trees and some other fruit trees.
Solanaceae
You cannot plant tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplants and other vegetables of the nightshade family next to cherries.They are carriers of a dangerous disease - verticillium wilt - which affects the core of the cherry tree and leads to its death.
Raspberries, gooseberries
Raspberry and gooseberry bushes have a developed superficial root system. They take nutrients and minerals from the ground that are necessary for the normal growth of cherries. Elderberry and honeysuckle are suitable shrubs for the neighborhood.
Cherries and raspberries are susceptible to the same diseases; when planted next to each other, they constantly become infected from each other.
Sea buckthorn
This plant is planted separately from all others, since its powerful root system, developed in breadth and depth, takes the bulk of nutrients from the soil. The cherry will weaken and dry next to the sea buckthorn.
Apple tree compatibility
Pome fruits have an extensive, powerful root system and spreading crown. The apple tree oppresses the cherry trees in the neighborhood; the distance between the trees should be 10 meters or more.
At the same time, the apple tree planted after them will feel great.
Pear
The situation is similar in the vicinity of pears. Its crown creates shade, and its roots take a lot of necessary elements from the soil. At the same time, many pear varieties are demanding on planting conditions, and in close proximity to cherries, both will suffer.
Black currant
Like raspberries and gooseberries, it has a wide and shallow root system. However, in this case, the currants are worse off; they suffer from a lack of sunlight. These plants require different soil conditions and care, so they are planted in different places in the garden.
Peach
A tree that is demanding in terms of planting conditions and choice of neighbors. The recommended distance from the cherry is 10 meters or more, otherwise the peach becomes very sick, the trunk is exposed, and it stops bearing fruit.
Apricot
They do not plant next to cherries for two reasons:
- Apricot loves solitude; there should be no bushes or trees closer than 5 meters.
- These plants require fundamentally different conditions and care.
Red rowan
He gets weak and sick in such a neighborhood. However, rowan grows next to apple and pear trees.
If there are wild trees in the garden or on the outskirts of the site, do not place cherries next to lindens, conifers, birches, maples, and oaks. The minimum distance from each other is 10 meters. These plants have powerful, branched roots and prevent many garden crops from developing.
At first glance, a garden map seems complicated and unnecessary. When planting a plot from scratch, making maps is simple and interesting; in a garden with existing plants, they proceed from their characteristics. A serious approach to the location of trees helps to get a lot of fruits and berries and reduces the difficulties with treatment and feeding.
