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. 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
Plant out November to February, harvest July to October.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYes
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesNoNo

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 early February UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Plant a bare-root tree around mid-November to early February. 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

    mid-May to mid-October UK average · set your town for your exact dates Optional · repeat every 365 days

    From mid-May to mid-October, water well for the first two years, then in dry spells while the fruit swells. Do this each year.

  3. 03

    Mulch and Feed

    early March to early April UK average · set your town for your exact dates Optional · repeat every 365 days

    Around early March to early April, 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

    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. Leave one fruit every , or a pair every . Take off damaged fruit first.

    • Prop heavy branches.

  5. 05

    Summer prune

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

    Prune from early July to early August 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

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

    Pick from mid-July to mid-October 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.