How to grow Plum

Prunus domestica · plum tree

The European plum, a fruit tree grown for its sweet fruits that ripen from August to October. It flowers early in spring, so the blossom can be hit by late frost.

Quick facts

Type	Fruit tree
Family	Rosaceae
Light	Full sun
Soil pH	6–6.5
Frost	tolerates light frost
Sowing to harvest	1095 days
Where it grows	Open ground

When to plant

Planted as a young plant from a nursery while it is dormant — in early spring before the buds open, or in autumn after leaf fall.

Harvest from August to October (northern hemisphere).

Frost dates · When to plant

Care

Open ground

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	every 7 days	—	balanced (NPK), at the start of the stage
Flowering	every 7 days	—	—
Fruiting	every 7 days	—	—
Harvest	every 7 days	—	—
Winter rest	—	—	—

Growing notes

Light

Full sun in a warm, sheltered spot: at least six hours of direct sun a day.

Soil

Fertile, well-drained soil that never waterlogs, ideally slightly acidic at pH 6–6.5.

Care

Plant while dormant, in late winter or early spring. Water a young tree regularly in dry spells for at least its first season and mulch with compost in late winter or spring. Prune in spring or summer, not in the dormant season, to avoid silver leaf and bacterial canker. Thin the fruits in early summer to one every 5–8 cm, and cover the blossom with fleece if frost is forecast.

How to tell it is ripe

The fruit is fully coloured for its variety.
Yellow varieties have turned from green to yellow.
Squeeze gently: a ripe plum feels soft.
Pick plums one by one as they ripen, going over the tree several times, and handle them gently because they bruise easily.

Pests and diseases of Plum

Sources

Figures checked against these sources.