Plums in Gulval

Prunus domestica

Plum
Plum · Prunus domestica

Grow plum trees in a sunny, sheltered spot with free-draining soil. Bare-root trees are best planted while dormant, then watered well through the first two summers and pruned only in summer to reduce the risk of silver leaf disease.

400 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to Gulval · last frost ≈ 22 Mar

Plant out December to April, harvest June to July. Frost risk November to March.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outYesYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYes
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNo

Growing guide

Step-by-step instructions for growing Plum

  1. 01

    Plant the tree

    14 Dec to 23 Apr

    Plant a bare-root tree while it is dormant, around 14th December - 23rd April. Set it at the same depth it was grown before, stake it firmly, and keep a wide weed-free circle around the trunk. Water it in thoroughly straight after planting.

  2. 02

    Water through establishment

    22 Mar to 24 Nov every 10 days

    Water deeply from 22nd March through 24th November, especially in dry spells. Keep up regular watering for the first two summers, because young trees crop poorly if they dry out. Aim for a good soak every 10 days when rain is lacking.

  3. 03

    Thin fruitlets

    6 May to 21 May

    After the natural drop, from 6th May - 21st May, thin congested fruitlets so the remaining plums have room to swell. Leave roughly one fruit every on the branch and remove damaged or badly placed fruit first.

  4. 04

    Harvest the fruit

    20 Jun to 30 Jul

    Pick fruit from 20th June to 30th July when it colours well and comes away with a gentle twist. Harvest over several picks as different fruits ripen, and handle them carefully because ripe plums bruise easily.

  5. 05

    Summer prune

    21 May to 20 Jun

    Prune lightly from 21st May to 20th June in dry weather only. Remove damaged, crossing or overcrowded growth, and avoid winter pruning because stone fruit is prone to silver leaf disease.

Companion plants

Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Plum.

Good companions

Plants to avoid

Why companion planting matters

Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Plum to consider

Victoria

A reliable, heavy-cropping dessert plum with large red-purple fruit and yellow flesh.

Czar

An early plum that crops well in many UK gardens and is useful where summers are short.

Marjorie's Seedling

A popular late-season plum with good flavour and a steady crop.

Opal

A sweet, early plum with good flavour and a fairly reliable crop in the UK.

Plum guides by town

See how Plum timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.