gretzky: Don't know that I can really help especially zone 5 as I grow in a greenhouse. Can say that Raintree rates sweet cherries zone 5-9. Many say Kristin is one of the most hardy. I'd also look at the new cherries bred in NY: Black Pearl, Burgundy Pearl, and Ebony Pearl. Lapins, Stella, and Sweetheart are self fertile and have fans. Adams County Nursery in NY likes Sandra Rose and Regina for some crack resistance. If you want to shoot for eating quality some that were very good for me last year were Van, Selah, and Sandra Rose. My report follows. Here is a link that might be useful: 2011 greenhouse sweet cherry report

Back to your original question to what might be earlier than Methley. Here in mid Georgia Goldcrest, Flavorich, Regal, Camden, Queencrest, Maycrest, Springold, Springcrest, Springprince, Empress, Sunbrite, Carored, Suzi-Q, PF-1, Starlite all would ripen before the 25th of May every year for me at my location while Scarlet Pearl, Junegold, Glodprince, Derby, and Correll will be within a few of both sides of the 25th of May. All these varieties have 650-850 chill hour requirements. All are clingstones with generally smaller size than later varieties, and some would say not as good of a taste. They tend to be more tart than sweet to me than later on the season. Your ripening dates will vary from mine I'm sure, but if you are picking Methley on the 27th of May we are not too far apart. In my personal opinion Flavorich, Springcrest, Sunbrite, and Scarlet Pearl are the best out of these because of taste and size compared to the other ones in this group. You might look at the Dave Wilson website for some of the newer California early varieties which I didn't list which may be of interest to you. Hope this helps. Russell

Hey Steve, There are a lot of people more knowledgeable than me but I'll try to help. I looked up your location and you are in USDA zone 8b which is good for cold hardy citrus. It really depends how much time you want to put into cold protection. I am in South Alabama in 8A and have Satsumas, Changsha, Meyer Lemon, Kumquats, Sanbokan Sweet Lemons, and a Limequat in the ground. This winter my lowest temperature so far was 19 last month. I protect the Satsumas, Lemons and Limequats by sprinklers. The Changshas do well on their on when they get some size on them. Check out some pictures at: http://picasaweb.google.com/jbwindham/Dec2006Freeze As far as wet ground goes there you have a problem. Citrus do not like wet ground. They get foot rot. All is not lost though. I'll bet the LSU Ag Center or your local extension agent can tell you the best rootstock for damp soils. http://www.lsuagcenter.com/ Good luck with the citrus. Jack

I am in central Arkansas in the new part of zone 8a (not b like listed by the name). My I ground Satsuma has done very well over the past year. On the few nights it did get cold, I just put a sheet over it. I had a bit of yellowing on some leaves, but the spring fertilizing toolk care of that very quickly. The tree is currently growing and holding fruit. I am still pretty new to citrus, but I wish my container plants were as easy as the ones in the ground. I think there is a nursery in South Carolina that specializes in the more cold hardy plants.