When to plant Plums in Manchester

Prunus domestica

Plum
Plum · Prunus domestica

Grow plum trees in a sunny, sheltered spot with free-draining soil. Plant bare-root trees while dormant. Water well for the first two years. Prune only in summer, in dry weather, because of silver leaf.

400 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to Manchester · last frost ≈ 17 Apr

Plant out November to February, harvest July to September. Frost risk November to April.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYes
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNoNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

  1. 01

    Plant the tree

    28 Nov to 21 Feb 2027

    Plant a bare-root tree around 28th November - 21st February 2027. Only plant if the ground is open, not frozen or wet. Set the graft union above the soil. Stake it. Keep a weed-free circle around the trunk. Water in well. Do not prune at planting.

    • First cuts wait until the buds open in spring.
    • Victoria is self-fertile. Other varieties need a partner nearby.
    • Cover blossom overnight if frost is due.
    • Container, fan, and cordon training are separate routes.

  2. 02

    Water

    2 May to 29 Sept 2027 Optional · repeat every 365 days

    From 2nd May 2027 to 29th September 2027, water well for the first two years, then in dry spells while the fruit swells. Do this each year.

  3. 03

    Mulch and Feed

    16 Feb to 18 Mar 2027 Optional · repeat every 365 days

    Around 16th February - 18th March 2027, mulch with compost or well-rotted manure. Leave a gap around the trunk. Do this once a year. Feed only if growth is weak.

  4. 04

    Thin fruitlets

    1 Jun to 16 Jun 2027

    After the natural drop, from 1st June - 16th June 2027, thin congested fruitlets. Leave one fruit every , or a pair every . Take off damaged fruit first.

    • Prop heavy branches.

  5. 05

    Summer prune

    16 Jun to 16 Jul 2027

    Prune from 16th June 2027 to 16th July 2027 in dry weather only. Summer only. Never in winter. Never in autumn. Remove damaged, crossing, or overcrowded growth. Silver leaf gets in through winter cuts.

  6. 06

    Harvest the fruit

    1 Jul to 29 Sept 2027

    Pick from 1st July 2027 to 29th September 2027 when the fruit is soft and ripe on the tree. Several picks. Handle them carefully. Ripe plums bruise easily.

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.