How to Harvest Plums

Co-authored by Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: August 26, 2021 References

A perfectly ripe plum is hard to beat, especially if you picked it yourself. There's not a lot to harvesting this tasty stone fruit—you can pick it while it's slightly underripe or wait until it's totally soft and sweet. Still have questions? We've got answers! Read on to get helpful harvesting tips.

Question 1 of 5:

When are plums ready to pick?

1
Most plum varieties ripen between July and September. This is just a rough time frame, though—plums in your area may ripen in late spring, so keep your eyes on the plum trees starting in June.^{[1]
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2
Harvest European plums when they're soft to the touch. If you've got a European variety, they'll soften and turn blue or purple when they're ripe. To test, gently press the surface of a plum with your thumb and forefinger. If it's soft, it's ready to pick.^{[2]
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- You might see a powdery white substance on the surface of your plums. It's a fungus that's harmless and doesn't affect the flavor of the fruit—it just means the plums are really ripe!
- Damson, Stanley, and Mount Royal are popular European plum varieties.
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3
Pick Japanese and American plums when they're slightly soft. You don't need to wait until these plums are completely soft to the touch. Instead, pick the yellow or red plums as soon as they're firm-ripe. They'll finish ripening within a few days if you set them on the counter.^{[3]
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- Popular American plum varieties include Alderman, Tecumseh, and Pipestone. Autumn Rosa, Burgundy, and Santa Rosa are all popular Japanese varieties.
- You can also taste a plum to tell if it's sweet enough. If you get a sour bite or the fruit is still greenish-blue, wait a few days and check the plums again.^{[4]
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Question 2 of 5:

How do I pick the plums?

Pluck the fruit from the tree so the stem stays attached. Be gentle when you twist the fruit away from the branch so you don't harm the tree or bruise the plum. Sometimes, if the fruit is really ripe, it will fall into your hand as soon as you grasp it.^{[5]
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- Harvesting a lot of really ripe plums? Lay a tarp or clean sheet underneath the tree to catch any fruit that may fall as you pick.

Question 3 of 5:

Do plums continue to ripen after you pick them?

Yes—they'll soften at room temperature within a few days. Although you'll get the sweetest-tasting plums by letting them fully ripen on the trees, you can pick them while they're slightly underripe. Put the plums in a paper bag and set them on the counter. They should ripen within 4 days.^{[6]
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- Check the plums every day since you don't want them to soften too much.

Question 4 of 5:

Can you pick plums when they're green?

You can, but they won't be very large or sweet. Green plums, especially wild ones, are still growing, so they'll be quite a bit smaller than ripe plums. They're also hard if you try to squeeze them. If you do pick the underripe fruit, you can put them in a paper bag and try to ripen them, but they'll probably soften just a little.^{[7]
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- Remember, most of the ripening happens while the fruit is on the tree, so you're really better off waiting to harvest the plums.

Question 5 of 5:

How can I ripen plums after picking them?

Put firm plums into a paper bag and set them on the counter. As the fruit sits at room temperature, it releases ethylene gas, which speeds up the ripening process. Check the plums every day—they should become soft enough to eat within a few days.^{[8]
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- It's really important to use a paper bag, not plastic since the paper lets air move around the fruit. Plastic traps air and moisture, which can cause the plums to spoil.