When to plant Plums in the UK

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
Plant out November to January, harvest August to September.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYes
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNo

UK averages · set your town for dates worked out from your local frost records · how dates are worked out

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Dates for your town

Set your town to see planting windows worked out from local frost history, not a generic UK calendar.

  1. 01

    Plant the tree

    mid-November to late January UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Plant a bare-root tree while it is dormant, around mid-November to late January. 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

    early May to late October UK average · set your town for your exact dates Optional · repeat every 10 days

    Water deeply from early May through late October, 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

    mid-June to early July UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    After the natural drop, from mid-June to early July, 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

    early August to early September UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Pick fruit from early August to early September 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

    early July to early August UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Prune lightly from early July to early August in dry weather only. Remove damaged, crossing or overcrowded growth, and avoid winter pruning because stone fruit is prone to silver leaf disease.

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.