Les got his lips smacking this month, thinking about cherry pies! 
No… actually he was thinking more about the fun of planting cherries with our grandchildren!

Here are some fun facts about cherries: * they are classified as “drupes” (hey, what?), which are fleshy fruits with a thick skin and a seed pit at the center; * they have been around since prehistoric times but came to America in the 17th century; * there are a thousand varieties but just over 40 that we eat; * we don’t eat the bitter cherries from those beautiful cherry blossom trees; * the cherry blossom is Japan’s national flower; * cherry pits are toxic; * a single cherry tree can produce over 7,000 cherries; *the world record for spitting a cherry pit is 93 feet.   Popular types of cherries are Lapins Cherry (considered number one in the world), Rainier Cherry (from Washington and the most expensive), Bing Cherry (originally developed in Oregon in 1875), Red Sonnet (developed in Summerland B.C.) Yeah, British Columbia!

Warning:  Patience is required!  Growing cherry trees from pits can take up to ten years to get a full crop. Before the end, however, you may have a beautiful blossoming tree and a delicious harvest.
Big Tip:  Try out some “kid friendly recipes” to promote the enthusiasm for cherries!

Let's get started!  Remove the pits from your cherries, wash them clean, (parents) cut open the pit shells, and then gently remove the seeds. Soak the seeds in a bowl of warm water for two hours.

New learning:  In order to sprout, the seeds should go through “stratification”.   Place the seeds on a damp paper towel and sprinkle some cinnamon powder on them.  Cinnamon has antifungal properties and helps prevent mold and fungi developing on the seed. Fold the damp paper towel around the seeds and place them in a plastic zip lock bag.
Stratification requires ten weeks in the fridge (not the freezer!) Mark the bag with the start and finish dates plus the type of cherry seeds you are using. After stratification, plant your seeds in a small pot. Seeds thrive in a soil that drains well.

Outside: Once planted, place the seeds in a south facing window or greenhouse to "keep them warm".  Water 1 - 2 times per week, but not excessively.  Once your seedlings are 8 - 12 inches tall and all frost has passed, harden them off for a week and then transplant them outside. Cherry trees grow best in well-drained soil and need eight hours of sun for fruit production.  After planting, water two times a week.  As the tree matures its water requirements will decrease.

Hope you try this and have fun with the kids! 
Les & Nora