Procedure, harvest time and more

The choice of location influences the harvest

Plums value a moderate climate that is not too rainy. Waterlogged soils and shady places of growth impair growth. The fruit trees prefer a warm and nutrient-rich location with fresh conditions.

Plant different varieties

Plant at least two Plum varieties because this increases the fruit set. Plums and sloes in the vicinity make for a lively insect drive. Make sure there is a distance of at least five meters between the trees, because the Prunus plants need a lot of sun for the fruit to ripen. With the right selection of varieties, you can enjoy the harvest from July to October.

Determine the stage of maturity

If unripe plums are harvested and stored, acid degradation and subsequent blueing occurs. However, if the harvest is too early, the typical aroma no longer unfolds, so you should only pick the fruit when it is fully ripe. The sugar content, which increases as the tree ripens in the sun, is important for the aromatic taste. However, this varies depending on the variety and the climatic conditions also have an influence. Therefore, you should examine several aspects to determine the degree of maturity:

• bitter-tasting fruits are still unripe
• a grassy green color indicates that plums are not ripe
• hard and firm flesh needs more ripening time

What to look for when harvesting

The stone fruits on a tree are not ripe at the same time, because the crown tip benefits from more sunlight. Be careful not to touch the plums as much as possible. They are protected from drying out and pathogens by a whitish layer of wax. Touching it destroys this so-called fragrance and affects its shelf life.

Picking tips

Carefully pick the plums from the branch, holding them by the base of the stem if possible. Damage and cracks in the skin can cause mold to build up during storage. If the peel tears in this area despite careful work, it can indicate insufficient fruit ripeness.