Research has not yet determined the optimum levels of fertilizer to apply to chokecherries. As with any crop, a soil test will determine the current level of nutrients present and a recommendation for fruit crops can be obtained from the soil testing lab. Weed Control Weed control costs significantly less compared to saskatoons and is only done in the first five years of production. Clean cultivation is the most cost-efficient method during an orchard's early years. Later, permanent ground cover, annual crop cover, organic or black plastic mulches and other techniques may be considered.
Sod provides a durable surface for large harvesters and prevents erosion.
Currently, insect pests have not significantly affected yields of wild chokecherry stands, but the establishment of monocultural production may change this. Cherry shoot borer, chokecherry fruit gall midge, chokecherry sawfly, ugly nest caterpillar, fall webworm, forest-tent caterpillar, fruit tree leafroller, chokecherry aphid, and lacebugs are all potential pests of chokecherry. There are no insecticides registered for application on chokecherries at this time, meaning that effective, alternative methods of pest control will need to be developed. Growers should monitor the crop weekly in order to watch for insect problems. Other pests include birds, rabbits, mice and deer.