What Is the Right Time to Plant Plums?

Planting Time

• The best time to plant bare root plum trees is during December or January, recommends the University of Florida Extension. If the trees are in containers, they may be planted at any time of the year. However, in case of root-bound trees, planting during the dormant stage is best as this allows the roots to get established before the active growth season starts. Space trees 18 to 22 feet apart.

Site

• Select a planting site in an area of full sun for best growth. Plums produce their blooms very early in spring, which makes the flowers highly prone to damage from spring frosts. To help minimize frost damage, avoid planting in low-lying areas that can develop frost pockets from the collection of cold air. Choose a north-facing slope as these warm later and reduce frost.

Soil

• Preparing soil prior to planting assures rapid establishment and healthy growth. Plums adapt well to a variety of soil types but grow optimally in well-drained, deep, sandy loam or sandy clay loam with a preferred pH of 6.0 to 6.5. Do not plant in ground with known problems with root-knot nematodes. Avoid placing any type of fertilizer in the planting hole. Do not fertilize newly planted trees until six weeks of planting time.

Pollination

• Unlike peaches that are self fertile, the majority of plums are not self fertile and need another pollinator from the same group to produce a good fruit set. Although a large of number of European plum varieties do manage to produce fruit without a pollinator, fruit production is healthier and prolific with the use of a second tree from the European group. Japanese plums cross pollinate well with a Japanese or American variety.