The season for plums in the UK is from mid July until The start of October. These are from a variety of plum types, grown under different conditions, they're even growing plums under plastic now to get them even earlier.
But last year I think we had plums for the grand total of 2 weeks. They were a glorious two weeks, but it left me thinking I've really missed a trick. Time to do something about it.
So I've been plotting how I can increase our harvests of these delicious fruits and have them for much longer. We all look forward to them as they normally come before the apples.
The other day when I was in a generic super market I saw that they had trees on sale, two for £10. Too cheap to resist. I got a plum (Victoria) and a pear (conference). I then went back and got 4 more plums and two more pears. I like a glut of fruit and at that money they don't need to crop much before we're in profit! Jams and dehydrating will be the order of the day!
These trees have been put in a few places, one being the fence between our neighbours and us. The idea to make this an edible barrier in a few years time. Having these plums as the standards in the mix and then I've ordered a further 25 cherry plum trees to act as hedging plants. These are supposed to crop well but even if they don't, they flower heavy and will provide pollination to my other plums dotted around.
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Here's a list of what is in or coming Starting with the earliest :-
Herman - Mid to late July
Katinka - End of July
Sanctus Hurbert - End of July
Opal - End of July into August
Black Prince - Early to mid August
Czar - Early to mid August
Violette - Mid August (approximately two weeks before Victoria)
Victoria - Late August
Seneca - Early Sept
Guinevere - Late Sept
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I think I could do with a few more late season ones, as although we have apples by then it's still great to have a good selection of fruit. I'm going to plant these in a line and have the earliest at the top with the latest at the bottom. Something I wish I did with my cordon apple trees. That way we'll know where to go next to see what is ripe. They will be dotted around the smallholding in other places as well though as I have quite a few to find space for! That way frosts might miss some trees as well and give us a more guaranteed chance of a harvest.
It'll be a few years until we see any plums from these trees but they do start producing pretty quickly.
I've also put in some more unusual trees which I'll do in another post.
What plum tree would you recommend I plant? I love hearing what peoples favourites are and what works well for you. I'm sure I can squeeze in a few more trees!
i love the italian small purple plums...damson? we had an orchard of them when i was small. you will have so many when they start to produce. what fun!
ReplyDeleteYes, we have lots of damsons here, they make the best jam ever! Simply lovely. I make about 20 jars but it's never enough!
DeleteHi Kev, My grandparents originally had a smallholding of 6 acres plus and about 2 acres later on. They grew two varieties of plum. Victorias and a very old variety called Black Diamond which was my grandfather's favourite. A very dark purple plum with the most beautiful yellow gold sweet flesh. He had three trees in the plum orchard the rest were Victorias. However if you ever get a chance to have some of these do. If I ever get my spot I intend to track them down and have some. My Grandparents always gave the Victorias away but never the Black Diamond. I believe it is an old cultivar that was somewhere crossed with a Damson. I don't blame you buying in the trees at that price and paving the way forward for the future. Plums have always been a mainstay here we always use a lot, but I think that is because I was brought up to them. I think you can still get the Black Diamond plants from more specialist nurseries. Enjoy in any event. Kind regards Tricia
ReplyDeleteThat sounds a great type. I can find a new plum called a black diamond but that's only been about a few years so I doubt it's that. And one called diamond but nit sure if it's the same. If you copy and paste the link does this look the right one? https://www.keepers-nursery.co.uk/fruit-trees/plum-gage/cooking-plum/diamond
DeleteKev, it looks like it although cannot be absolutely sure. It is definitely a purple plum with a bloom. My Grandfather was originally from London but his Dad moved them all up to Lincoln. A lot of his family worked on the land. My Grandad was an Engineer Fitter.I don't know how he got this particular cultivar. I found another link which like your post says that is a reintroduction of an old cultivar on https://www.deaconsnurseryfruits.co.uk/product/black-diamond however it does not give a picture. It is however classed as a dual fruit which is what I remember the Black Diamonds my Grandfather had were you could eat it which was bliss and cook with it. The original cultivar I believe goes back to the 1820's. However there may be some differentiation because of the rootstocks used these days. What I will say though is that the plum is more black than blue on the outside and the flesh yellow, gold and sweet. It is well worth the effort to have these Kind regards Tricia
DeleteI'll add it to my list of wanted fruit trees! sounds like a tasty one and I like them a little sharp like a damson!I think most eaters can be cooked it, nothing beats a plum crumble or plum jam! Thanks!
DeleteGood idea to plant them dotted about to help avoid frosts. I always found they alternated between good years and bad years but always with the blinkin' plum moth maggot!
ReplyDeleteYeah, the maggots are a pain. To be honest I just eat round them! Although with this many trees it might be worth having some traps in place.
DeleteWe had a wonderful dark skinned plum tree that a squirrel planted in our garden. Fabulous tasting fruit. Plums are one of my favourite fruit. I commented a few days ago asking about whether you had intended sell any of your seeds and you suggested emailing you. Please can you tell me where on your sidebar I can find your email address as I can't spot it. I am probably being dim, I know.
ReplyDeleteOn the top bar depending if it's on a phone or computer, phone it's a drop down and choose the "contact me" or on a computer there should be a button that says "contact me". It does lookn different depending how you have it set up.
DeletePlums are up there as one of my favourites as well, when they're super ripe and sweet straight from the tree theres few things better! I wonder if the one the squirrel planted was a unique variety?
Thank you. I said I was probably being dim...… : )
DeleteI haven't forgotten you, just takes a while to reply as I'm useless.
DeleteSanta Rosa! This is a Japanese/American hybrid cross developed by Luther Burbank just before WW I. Also, try 'pluots' if you can find them. This is a cross between a plum and an apricot. They are fantastic as fresh fruit! Don't worry about planting too many; for me, they don't live too long. So - plant some every year to keep it going.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds a good one. The plucots need a warmer climate than I can offer I think, we just dont have the heat of the summer like some places.
DeleteAnd i agree about planting every year. I'm running out of space slowly though!