What does "chilling" mean when planting cherry pitts?

Question

I am a new gardener, with little to work with. I want to plant a few cherry trees this year. When do I put the seeds in the ground? And what is chilling? Is chilling required?

Answer 1

ANSWER: Yes, you can start a tree from the pits of cherries purchased at the grocery store. The only problem is that such cherries are marginality adapted at best in your area. Sour cherries will do better than sweet cherries though.

The pits require stratification or cold, moist chilling in order to germinate. Place the pits in a moist paper towel and then put this towel with the seeds in a zip lock bag and place it in the crisper of the refrigerator. Leave them in there for 6 to 8 weeks. Check them in 6 weeks and if some of the seeds have sprouted, then it is time to plant them. If none have sprouted leave them another 2 to 3 weeks. After this time plant the seeds in a containers with a well drained potting soil. The seeds should sprout in 2 to 3 weeks.