All about the Turgenevskaya cherry variety

There are many cherry varieties, differing in ripening time, fruit shape, fruit yield, and, of course, taste. Among this abundance, there are some special varieties that are always in demand among gardeners and vegetable growers across the country. The "Turgenevskaya" cherry, which we'll share with you in this article, fits into this niche.

Description and characteristics of the Turgenevskaya variety

The biggest advantage of the Turgenevskaya cherry variety is the excellent taste of the fruit and its resistance to diseases that are characteristic of a given cultureThis variety first appeared in our country in 1979, immediately becoming one of the most beloved. The temperate climate of central Russia is the best growing conditions for this variety, making it resistant to the vagaries of weather.

The varietal characteristics that distinguish the Turgenevskaya cherry can be listed point by point:

1. Tolerates temperature changes well.
2. One berry grows quite large, up to 5 grams, the berries are heart-shaped.
3. Turgenevskaya cherry is sweet and sour, has a pleasant aroma and a sweet aftertaste.
4. The height of the tree of the described variety is up to three meters, the crown is spreading, but the tree itself is not branched, the branches grow upright.
5. The fruits ripen evenly, and it becomes possible to taste the first ripe berries as early as May.
6. The described variety produces an impressive and stable good harvest.
7. Suitable for fresh consumption, as well as for making jam, compotes, preserves and freezing berries.
8. The leaves of the trees are thin and oval, a rich green color; this foliage shape can only be found on the Turgenevskaya cherry tree.
9. One adult tree can produce up to 10 kilos of berries.
10. The stone in the Turgenevskaya cherry is very small, only 10% of the total weight of one fruit, which leaves plenty of room for the juicy and tasty pulp.

Important! The Turgenevskaya cherry blossoms very early, so residents of the central part of Russia need to be vigilant at this stage. Frosts in this part of Russia can occur in April or even early May, and if measures aren't taken to "warm" the blossoming cherry, you could be left without a harvest.

A few words about growing

Although the variety described is unpretentious in care, it is still worth taking into account a few nuances.

Read also: The best cherry varieties for growing in the Moscow region.

When planting a tree, avoid swampy areas and those near groundwater. Failure to take this into account will result in the tree's root system becoming oversaturated with moisture, which will impact healthy growth and, of course, the harvest.

When planting, prepare holes 60 centimeters deep and 80 centimeters wide. Afterward, thoroughly moisten the hole before placing the seedling. Fertilize the soil immediately after planting. To do this, simply mix the soil around the hole with humus, ash, and superphosphate.

The best time to plant the Turgenevskaya cherry is in the spring, as this gives the tree a better chance of survival. This variety only requires fertilizing once a year if using mineral fertilizers. If using organic fertilizers, this should be done three times a year.

Gardeners' reviews

Having learned about the description of the Turgenevskaya cherry variety and looked at photos of these berries, I'm curious to know what experienced gardeners and horticulturists have to say about them. How good are these cherries, really?

Oksana, an amateur gardener: "We only have one cherry tree in our garden, a 'Turgenevskaya' variety. It's been growing and producing fruit for six years in a row, and I've never encountered any problems. I remember my grandmother had a similar cherry tree, and we used to come every summer to enjoy the delicious cherries. So, I didn't even have to pick the variety. The harvest is enough for me to enjoy fresh berries and make a couple of jars of jam and compote."

Alla, 44 years old: "I wouldn't say the Turgenevskaya cherry is bad. It tolerates frost well and produces well, but when it comes to flavor, I prefer the newer varieties; they're sweeter. We planted the Turgenevskaya a long time ago, and back then, there weren't many other varieties to choose from. Since it's partially self-fertile, we had to plant another cherry of a different variety nearby, otherwise the harvest would have been meager. This way, we got a sufficient harvest from the Turgenevskaya and got another cherry tree in the garden, which will be tastier. I mainly use the Turgenevskaya for winter preserves."