Sweet Cherry "Valeriy Chkalov": The Queen of Early Harvest

The "Valeriy Chkalov" sweet cherry is a legendary variety. It is prized for its large, heart-shaped fruits weighing up to 8-10 grams, which turn dark maroon, almost black, when fully ripe. It ripens in early June, kicking off the vitamin season in your garden.

Soil: Where Does the Cherry Get Its Sugar?

Cherries hate "heavy feet." They need light, fertile soil where the roots won't suffocate from excess moisture.

• Best Choice: Fertile Loamy soils (Type 1) or Sandy Loams (Type 2).
• Soil Check: Perform the sausage test. If the soil rolls into a stick that breaks into pieces (Type 1), it’s the perfect air-water balance.

Best Companions (Good)

"Valeriy Chkalov" is self-sterile, so without the right pollination partners, you won't get a harvest:

• Other Sweet Cherry Varieties: Varieties like "Skorospilka" or "June Early" are best.
• Sour Cherry: They are great neighbors. Check out our sour cherry growing guide to build the perfect stone fruit orchard.
• Plums: They share similar maintenance and treatment schedules.

Main Enemies (Bad)

• Walnut Trees: We previously discussed its dangers in the walnut guide. A cherry tree planted nearby will "burn out" due to juglone.
• Apricot: These trees often conflict for space and can suppress each other if planted too closely.
• High Ground Water: If cherry roots reach the water table, the tree will die within 1-2 years.

AgroPlanner Tip: "Valeriy Chkalov" grows into a large tree with a dense canopy. In our app, it occupies a 4x4 or 5x5 grid. Planner will help you place a pollinator tree within 5-7 meters so bees can do their job effectively, ensuring a record-breaking harvest.