Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Plums at a Glance
Region:
USDA Zones 8 or 9 in southern United States to Zone 3 in
northern United States and Canada, depending on variety
Soil pH and type:
Slightly acidic, well-drained loams, sandy loams, and
loamy sands
Pollination:
Self-fruitful to partially self-fruitful to self-unfruitful, de-
pending on type and variety
Variety selection:
Types include European, Damson, Japanese, and
North American plums.
Other notes:
European plums benefit from having beehives in the
orchard; Japanese varieties tend to overset and often perform well in
commercial settings with only wild bees for pollination.
World leaders in commercial plum production are Spain, Chile, the United
States, South Africa, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Serbia. Fewer prunes
(plums that develop enough sugar to allow the fruit to dry without rotting
around the pit) are produced than plums. In North America, most commer-
cial plums and prunes are grown in the western United States, with Cali-
fornia being the leading producer, followed by Idaho, Michigan, Oregon, and
Washington. California produces more prunes than plums. Texas and areas
adjacent to the Great Lakes produce plums for local markets. Commercial
production in eastern North America can be challenging due to insect and
disease pressure.
Cold hardiness ranges from USDA hardiness Zones 8 or 9 in the southern
United States to Zone 3 in the northern United States and Canada. Native
soils vary from droughty beach sands to deep, heavy river bottoms. Although
