- Buy plum trees in pots or in balls
- Plant a plum tree: when is the best time?
- Plant plum tree instructions
- Care for plum tree after planting
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Plums and co. taste best from your own garden. We show what you need to consider when planting a plum tree.
The plum (Prunus domestica) and its subspecies the damson (Prunus domestica subsp. domestica ) belong, like many other fruit trees, to the large rose family (Rosaceae). They are among the most undemanding types of fruit and also thrive very well in rougher areas. However, plums flower in early spring and are therefore particularly susceptible to late frosts. A suitable location is therefore essential for a rich plum harvest. In this article, we will explain the best way to proceed when planting a plum tree and what else needs to be considered in addition to choosing the right location.
Before you plant a plum tree, you must of course decide on one of the many varieties. You should also think about the space available in your garden beforehand, because the size of a fruit tree can vary greatly depending on the variety and type of training.
Buy plum trees in pots or in balls
Plum trees are offered as container plants or as so-called ball goods. While container plants are sold all year round and can therefore also be planted, weather permitting, the balled plants are only offered and planted in autumn and early spring.
If you have found a plum tree variety that suits you, it is best to ask the tree nursery about their experience with it. Above all, you should check whether the selected variety is adapted to the site conditions prevailing in your garden. If this is not the case, it is better to choose a variety that tolerates wind better, flowers later (if there is a risk of late frost) or needs less warmth and light. Then select your favorite variety, ideally as a grafted fruit tree. A grafted fruit tree consists of a base and a noble variety. The noble variety is your plum variety, from which you will reap the fruits. The underlay brings certain properties such asStability and vigour, but also certain demands on the location. Depending on how much space you have in the garden, you can choose between slow-growing, medium-growing or strong-growing thanks to the rootstock made from one and the same plum variety.
When buying your plum tree, pay attention to:
- He althy Roots
- An undamaged and he althy grafting spot
- An even crown
Plant a plum tree: when is the best time?
As with most fruit trees, the best time to plant the plum tree is in autumn. This allows the roots to develop and spread throughout the winter. In spring, the plum tree can then be optimally supplied with nutrients and grow well. In a dry spring, however, one must not forget that the roots of the young tree do not yet reach far into the ground and therefore have difficulty absorbing water. That is why young trees are always watered in the first few years after a long period of drought. As an alternative to the optimal planting time between October and November, the months of March and April are recommended. At these times, the stress from heat, radiation and drought is lowest for the newly planted sapling. In addition, bale goods are usually cheaper but more robust than container goods. However, it is even more important to ensure an adequate water supply throughout the summer with a spring planting than with a tree planted in the fall.
Plant plum tree instructions
After the successful purchase, the new plum tree is planted. Planting a tree is almost a ritual in itself: there is a lot to consider and you can do a lot wrong. But with the right knowledge, planting your tree will also be successful and the next step towards harvesting plums from your own garden has been taken.
Materials needed to plant a plum tree
To make planting as quick as possible, it's a good idea to have a few utensils ready. The following equipment and materials are required:
- Spade, shovel, pickaxe
- Support pole, binding material
- Hammer, Secateurs
- Earth
- Stammschutz
The right location for a plum tree
In order for your plum tree to thrive and produce lots of delicious fruit, it is very important where you plant it.The location with the ideal growing conditions for plums is sheltered from the wind, warm and sunny. These criteria are best achieved in front of a south-facing house wall, where the sun's heat accumulates and the risk of frostbite from late frosts is also lower. In addition, the plum tree should have enough space - it should be able to spread unhindered within a radius of two and a half to three meters. Since plum trees are quite demanding, a moist, humus and nutrient-rich garden soil is a must. A pH between 6 and 7 is ideal.
Dig planting hole for plum tree
The hole in which the tree is to be planted should be at least half the ball diameter wider than the root ball. The larger and deeper the planting hole, the easier it is for the roots to spread. The bottom of the dug hole is also loosened up about twice as deep with a hoe. So that the small plum tree has enough nutrients available right from the start, you can add some nutrient-rich soil, such as our peat-free Plantura organic universal soil, to the planting hole. Mix the different layers well and if necessary work some mainly organic slow-release fertilizer into the soil.
Install plum tree support stake
If a large tree is planted, it makes sense to plant a support post before actually planting it. Once the tree is up, it can be difficult to dig the holes again with the spade and fiddle with the bulky sledgehammer. The support stake should be about as high as the trunk of the sapling and driven in on the west side. Since the wind mostly comes from this direction, the tree is pushed away from the pole.
Prepare plum tree before planting
Before inserting, you should carefully score the root ball of the plum tree all around with scissors and loosen it up a bit with your hands. This measure stimulates root branching. Additional cutting of the roots is usually not necessary for container goods. However, if the root ball is very dry, the young plum tree can be dipped in a bucket of water again before planting.
Plant plum tree
Planting the plum tree itself is best done in pairs. One holds the sapling in the planting hole, the other fills the hole in with a mixture of excavated soil and additional nutrient-rich soil. By gently shakingas well as lifting and lowering the tree, the soil is evenly distributed in the planting hole. It is best to place the young tree in such a way that the grafting point protrudes at least five centimeters above ground level. Finally, water the inserted tree well. Because it is only when the soil is sludged that the soil settles well and encloses the roots. It is better not to tread on the ground, and if you do, then only very lightly, otherwise it can quickly become compacted and consequently tend to waterlogging with devastating consequences.
You can now tie the plum tree to the support post as a windbreak. The rope should not be attached too tightly so that the tree does not suffer constrictions. If voracious rodents are up to mischief in the garden from time to time, it is also advisable to attach a special protection against eating. If necessary, the tree disc can also be covered with mulch material such as grass clippings or straw. This retains moisture better and dries out the soil less quickly in dry and hot conditions.
Plant plum tree summary:
- Best to plant in autumn (October/November)
- Selection of a warm, sheltered location
- Dig the planting hole large and deep enough
- Hit the supporting pile on the west side
- Upgrade soil with nutrient-rich soil
- Incorporate some primarily organic slow release fertilizer
- Carve and loosen the root balls
- Place tree and fill planting hole with excavated soil
- Soak up well
- Tie the tree to a post, attach protection against feeding and mulch if necessary
Care for plum tree after planting
In the first few years after planting, the root system of the young plum tree is still sparse and flat. In order for it to develop well, you should make sure that it has an adequate water supply, especially in the beginning. Annual fertilization with compost and primarily organic long-term fertilizers such as our Plantura organic universal fertilizer can also have a positive effect on growth and yield.
Professional pruning promotes the development of the young tree. After successful planting, regular training cuts are required to steer growth in the right direction. Later, when the tree is older, only a so-called thinning pruning is carried out, in which those branches and shoots that prevent the development of other shoots are removed.
More informationfor planting, caring for and pruning plum trees can be found here.