If you’re looking for a delicious, easy-to-grow fruit tree that provides juicy, sweet fruit, then planting a plum tree in your backyard is a fantastic choice! Plum trees produce abundant crops, are low-maintenance, and add beauty to any home orchard with their fragrant spring blossoms and vibrant summer fruit.
With varieties like AU Homeside Plum, Blue Damson Plum, Morris Plum, and Santa Rosa Plum, you can enjoy a long harvesting season with fruit perfect for fresh eating, preserves, baking, and drying.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about growing plum trees in your backyard, including:
✅ Best plum tree varieties for home orchards
✅ Chill hour requirements & pollination needs
✅ Planting and care instructions
✅ Health benefits & delicious recipes
✅ Essential planting products for success
✅ Where to buy high-quality plum trees at low prices
Let’s get started! 🌿🍑
🍑 Best Plum Varieties for Backyard Growers
Plum trees come in several different varieties, each with unique flavors and growth requirements. Here are four excellent options for backyard growers:
1. AU Homeside Plum 🏡
✅ Chill Hours: 500-700 hours
✅ Pollination: Self-pollinating but produces better with a pollinator
✅ Fruit Description: Medium-sized, deep red skin with amber flesh
✅ Flavor & Texture: Sweet, slightly tart with firm, juicy flesh
✅ Best Uses: Fresh eating, canning, and preserves
The AU Homeside Plum is a Southern favorite, developed for disease resistance and high yields. It is one of the easiest plum varieties to grow and thrives in hot, humid climates.
2. Blue Damson Plum 🔵
✅ Chill Hours: 800-1,000 hours
✅ Pollination: Requires another European plum variety for cross-pollination
✅ Fruit Description: Small, deep blue-purple fruit with golden flesh
✅ Flavor & Texture: Tart, astringent when fresh but sweetens when cooked
✅ Best Uses: Making jams, jellies, and drying into prunes
The Blue Damson Plum is known for its rich, tangy flavor and is ideal for preserving and baking. This heirloom variety is a heavy producer and does well in colder climates.
3. Morris Plum 🌟
✅ Chill Hours: 500-700 hours
✅ Pollination: Needs another Japanese plum for cross-pollination (Santa Rosa is a great choice)
✅ Fruit Description: Large, red-purple skin with juicy red flesh
✅ Flavor & Texture: Super sweet, juicy, and tender
✅ Best Uses: Fresh eating, fruit salads, and desserts
The Morris Plum is a high-quality Japanese variety, known for its vibrant color, high sugar content, and excellent flavor. It is a fast-growing tree that produces early-season fruit.
4. Santa Rosa Plum 🌹
✅ Chill Hours: 300-500 hours
✅ Pollination: Self-pollinating but benefits from cross-pollination
✅ Fruit Description: Large, reddish-purple fruit with golden flesh
✅ Flavor & Texture: Rich, tangy-sweet, and very juicy
✅ Best Uses: Fresh eating, baking, and making sauces
The Santa Rosa Plum is one of the most popular backyard plum varieties, producing large, juicy fruit with excellent flavor. It is self-fertile, making it a great choice for those who only want to plant one tree.
🌡️ Chill Hours & Pollination
🌿 What Are Chill Hours?
Chill hours refer to the number of hours below 45°F that a tree needs to break dormancy and set fruit. Plum trees require between 300 and 1,000 chill hours, depending on the variety.
🌸 Pollination Needs
- Some plum trees are self-pollinating, such as Santa Rosa and AU Homeside.
- Others need cross-pollination, meaning you’ll need to plant two compatible trees for fruit production.
For best results, always pair your plums with a compatible pollinator to ensure abundant fruit production.
🌳 How to Plant Plum Trees
📍 Best Location to Plant
✅ Full Sun: Plums need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
✅ Well-Draining Soil: Prefers loamy, fertile soil that drains well.
✅ Spacing: Plant trees 12-15 feet apart to allow for proper growth.
🌱 Step-by-Step Planting Instructions
1️⃣ Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep.
2️⃣ Place the tree in the hole, ensuring the graft union is above soil level.
3️⃣ Backfill with soil and water deeply.
4️⃣ Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
🌞 Ongoing Care & Maintenance
💧 Watering: Water regularly during the first year to establish strong roots. Once established, water once a week during dry periods.
✂️ Pruning: Prune in late winter to remove dead wood and improve airflow.
🍂 Fertilizing: Use a balanced fertilizer in early spring for strong growth and fruiting.
🍑 Health Benefits of Plums
Plums are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, offering numerous health benefits:
✅ High in Vitamin C – Supports immunity and skin health.
✅ Rich in Fiber – Promotes digestion and gut health.
✅ Loaded with Antioxidants – Helps fight inflammation.
✅ Supports Heart Health – May help lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
🍽️ Delicious Plum Recipes
1. Plum Jam 🍯
Ingredients:
- 4 cups ripe plums (chopped)
- 3 cups sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 packet pectin
Instructions:
1️⃣ Simmer plums, sugar, and lemon juice until soft.
2️⃣ Stir in pectin and boil for 2 minutes.
3️⃣ Pour into sterilized jars and store.
2. Roasted Plums with Honey 🍽️
Ingredients:
- 4 ripe plums (halved)
- 2 tbsp honey
- ½ tsp cinnamon
Instructions:
1️⃣ Drizzle plums with honey and sprinkle with cinnamon.
2️⃣ Roast at 375°F for 15 minutes.
🌱 Essential Products for Maximum Growth
Boost your plum tree’s health and fruit production with these must-have products:
✅ Nutra-Pro 1st Year Fertilizer Paks – Provides slow-release nutrients for strong roots.
✅ Soil Moist Transplant Mix – Retains moisture, reducing transplant stress.
✅ Max Growth Tree Shelters – Protects young trees from pests and harsh weather.
✅ Weed Pro Weed Mats – Prevents weeds from competing for water and nutrients.
These products increase growth, prevent transplant shock, and enhance fruit production.
🛒 Buy Plum Trees Online at Ty Ty Plant Nursery, LLC!
For the best selection of plum trees at the lowest prices, order from Ty Ty Plant Nursery, LLC!
🌱 Why Buy From Us?
✅ Low Prices & Fast Shipping – Get premium-quality trees delivered to your door.
✅ Free One-Year Plantsurance Guarantee – If your tree doesn’t survive its first year, we’ll issue a store credit!
Don’t wait—order your Plum trees today and enjoy delicious homegrown fruit for years to come! 🌳🍑
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