Knowing when to pick plums from your tree is the secret to enjoying their best flavor. If you pick them too early, they can be sour and hard. Wait too long, and they might become mushy or attract pests. This guide will help you spot the signs of perfect ripeness so you can harvest your plums at their peak.
When To Pick Plums From Tree
This main heading is your goal. The perfect picking time isn’t just one day; it’s a short window where several factors align. Unlike some fruits, plums ripen from the inside out. This means they often look ready before they actually are. Learning to read the subtle clues your tree and fruit give you is the most important skill.
Your tree’s variety and local climate are big factors too. Early-season varieties will be ready sooner than late-season ones. A warm, sunny summer will advance your harvest compared to a cool, cloudy one. Use the calander as a rough guide, but always trust the physical signs on the fruit itself.
The Five Key Signs of Ripe Plums
Check for these indicators. You’ll want to see most, if not all, of them before you start your harvest in earnest.
- Color Change: This is the most obvious sign. Plums will change from their immature green to their final color—whether that’s deep purple, red, yellow, or blue. Look for a rich, even hue. Also, check for a dusty-looking “bloom” on the skin; it’s a natural protective coating and a good sign.
- Feel and Firmness: A ripe plum will yield slightly to gentle pressure. Squeeze it softly in the palm of your hand. It should feel like a ripe peach, not rock-hard but not squishy either. The skin may feel a little tender.
- Ease of Picking: A truly ripe plum will detach from the tree with almost no effort. Lift the fruit and twist it gently. If the stem separates easily from the branch, it’s ready. If you have to tug, it’s best to leave it for another day or two.
- Taste Test (The Final Proof): This is the best test. Pick one plum that looks ready and taste it. The flavor should be sweet and full, with no unpleasant tartness. The flesh should be juicy. If it passes, the others similar in appearance are likely ready too.
- Natural Drop: Keep an eye on the ground. If a few healthy, undamaged plums have fallen, it’s a strong signal that the ones on the tree are reaching maturity. This is nature’s way of telling you it’s time.
How to Pick Plums Correctly: A Step-by-Step Guide
Once you’ve determined they’re ready, proper technique protects next year’s crop and keeps the fruit fresh.
- Choose the Right Time of Day: Harvest in the cool of the morning, after the dew has dried. This ensures the fruit is firm and hasn’t heated up in the sun, which can make them softer and more prone to bruising.
- Handle with Care: Plums bruise very easily. Always handle them gently. Place them directly into your harvesting container; don’t drop them. Don’t pile them too high to avoid crushing the bottom layers.
- Use the Correct Motion: Cup the plum in your hand. Lift and twist it gently until the stem snaps free from the branch. The goal is to keep the stem attached to the fruit, as this helps prevent rotting at the top. Never pull straight down.
- Use Soft Containers: A wide, shallow basket or bucket lined with a soft towel is ideal. Avoid hard plastic buckets that can cause bruising as you move around.
- Check as You Go: As you pick, do a quick sort. Place any bruised or damaged fruit in a separate container to use immediately. Only perfect, unblemished fruit should be stored for later.
What to Do After Picking Your Plums
Post-harvest handling is crucial for extending their shelf life. First, don’t wash the plums until you’re ready to eat them. Washing removes their natural bloom and can introduce moisture that speeds up spoilage.
If your plums are slightly firm, you can ripen them at room temperature. Place them in a single layer on a counter, out of direct sunlight. Putting them in a paper bag can speed up the process, as it traps the ethylene gas they naturally produce. Check them daily.
For fully ripe plums you want to keep, refrigeration is key. Store them in the crisper drawer of your fridge. They should last there for about a week. Remember, cold storage halts the ripening process, so only refrigerate fruit that is already at your preferred level of sweetness.
Common Problems and Solutions
Sometimes, things don’t go perfectly. Here’s how to handle common issues.
- Birds or Pests Getting Them First: If wildlife is a problem, consider using bird netting over the tree as the fruit begins to color. Ensure the netting is secured at the trunk to prevent birds from getting trapped underneath.
- Fruit Splitting: This often happens after a heavy rain following a dry period. The tree takes up water too quickly, and the fruit expands and cracks. Consistent watering during dry spells can help prevent this. Split fruit should be picked and used right away.
- Plums Falling Too Early: A few falling is normal. But a large drop of hard, green fruit is often due to stress—usually lack of water or a nutrient deficiency. Make sure your tree is getting deep, regular waterings during the growing season.
Storing and Preserving Your Harvest
If you have a bountiful crop, you’ll need ways to keep them. For short-term storage, the fridge is your friend. For longer-term, try these methods:
- Freezing: Wash, halve, and remove the pits. Lay the halves on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to airtight freezer bags. They’re great for smoothies or baking later.
- Canning: Plums can be canned as halves, in syrup, or made into jam or chutney. Proper canning techniques are essential for safety, so follow a trusted recipe from a source like a county extension office.
- Drying: Prunes are simply dried plums. You can use a dehydrator or a very low oven to dry plum halves until they are leathery but still slightly pliable.
FAQ: Your Plum Picking Questions Answered
How do you know when plums are ripe to pick?
Look for a full color change, a slight softness when gently squeezed, and easy separation from the tree. The taste test is the ultimate decider.
What time of year are plums ready?
This varies widely by variety and climate. Early varieties can be ready in late July, while late ones may ripen into September. Watch your fruit, not just the calendar.
Can you pick plums early and let them ripen?
Yes, but with a caveat. Plums picked when they are just starting to show color and have begun to soften will continue to ripen off the tree. However, they will not get any sweeter than they were at picking; they will only become softer. For best flavor, let them ripen on the tree as long as possible.
What happens if you pick plums too early?
Early-picked plums will often remain tart, hard, and lacking in juice. They may wrinkle instead of ripening properly. Their texture can be mealy and unpleasant.
How long do freshly picked plums last?
Perfectly ripe plums last about 3-5 days at room temperature. In the refrigerator, they can last up to a week, sometimes a bit longer if they were firm when stored.
Mastering the art of picking plums takes a little practice, but it’s deeply rewarding. By paying close attention to the signs your tree gives you, you’ll be able to enjoy the incredible flavor of homegrown fruit at its absolute best. There’s nothing quite like the taste of a sun-warmed plum picked at the perfect moment from your own garden.