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The best time to pick purple plums is when they are fully ripe on the tree, as they won’t continue to sweeten much after being harvested.
Knowing when to pick purple plums is all about paying attention to a few key signs that signal perfect readiness.
Picking them at the right moment ensures you get that juicy, sweet flavor instead of a disappointing, tart or mealy bite.
If you’ve ever wondered when to pick purple plums from your garden, you’re in the right place.
In this post, we’ll dive into the exact timing, visual cues, and touch tests to help you master the art of harvesting purple plums.
When to Pick Purple Plums: The Perfect Timing
When to pick purple plums really boils down to the variety and your local climate, but there are universal rules to follow.
Most purple plum varieties are ready to harvest from mid-summer to early fall, typically between July and September.
The exact window depends on whether you have an early, mid, or late-season variety, so check your tree’s specific bloom time.
If you’re asking when to pick purple plums in your region, a good starting point is counting days from full bloom to harvest, which usually ranges from 100 to 140 days.
Above all, you should never pick purple plums too early because they ripen from the inside out, and once picked, their sugar content is locked in.
Color Is Your First Clue
When it comes to when to pick purple plums, color is a major indicator, but it can be a bit tricky.
Purple plums will develop their deep, rich purple or dark blue hue before they are actually ripe, so don’t rely on color alone.
Instead, look for a consistent, even color across the entire skin, free from any green patches near the stem.
If that greenish tint is still present, the plum needs more time on the tree.
Remember, a fully colored purple plum is close, but the next tests will confirm if it’s truly ready.
The Gentle Squeeze Test
The most reliable way to know when to pick purple plums is by feel, so give them a gentle squeeze.
A ripe purple plum will yield slightly to pressure, much like a ripe peach or avocado, without being mushy or hard.
If the fruit feels rock solid, then it’s not yet time to pick purple plums from your tree.
Conversely, if it feels overly soft or the skin wrinkles, you’ve waited too long, and it may be overripe.
This tactile check is the best test to determine when to pick purple plums for peak eating quality.
The Ease of Separation Trick
Another fantastic trick for when to pick purple plums is seeing how easily they come off the branch.
When purple plums are ripe, they should slip off the tree with just a slight upward twist.
If you have to tug or pull hard to remove the fruit, they aren’t ready, and you should wait a few more days.
Since purple plums don’t ripen well off the tree, leaving them attached until this natural separation happens is crucial.
This method takes the guesswork out of when to pick purple plums and prevents you from harvesting prematurely.
Taste Testing as the Final Authority
When you’re still unsure about when to pick purple plums, let your taste buds be the judge.
Pick one plum that looks and feels the most ripe based on the previous signs, and take a bite.
If it’s sweet, juicy, and flavorful, then you’ve found your answer on when to pick purple plums from that specific tree.
If it’s starchy, sour, or lacks that rich plum taste, give the rest a week on the tree.
Since purple plums don’t get sweeter after being picked, this taste test is essential.
Best Practices for Harvesting Purple Plums
Now that you know when to pick purple plums, let’s talk about how to do it without damaging the fruit or the tree.
You want to pick purple plums in a way that keeps them intact for storage and eating.
1. Use the Right Technique
When harvesting purple plums, hold the fruit gently in your palm and lift it upwards with a slight twist.
This technique ensures the stem separates cleanly and avoids bruising the flesh.
Avoid pulling straight down, as this can tear the spur and reduce next year’s yield.
Handling them delicately means you can pick purple plums and enjoy them without any soft spots.
2. Harvest in Batches
Purple plums don’t all ripen at the same time, so you’ll need to pick purple plums over a period of one to two weeks.
Check your tree every few days and only harvest the ones that pass the color and squeeze tests.
This staggered approach lets you pick purple plums at their individual peak rather than all at once.
You’ll get a longer harvest window and a steady supply of perfect fruit.
3. Morning Harvests Are Best
The ideal time of day to pick purple plums is in the early morning when temperatures are cool.
The fruit will be firm and crisp, which reduces the risk of bruising during picking.
Avoid picking purple plums in the heat of the afternoon, as they can become soft and easily damaged.
Morning-harvested plums also store better, keeping them fresh for longer on your counter.
Storing Your Freshly Picked Purple Plums
Once you finally pick purple plums at the right time, proper storage ensures you get the most out of your harvest.
Unlike some fruits, plums have a short shelf life, so handle them with care.
1. Counter Ripening for a Few Days
If you’ve picked purple plums that are slightly underripe, don’t panic, you can let them sit on the counter.
While they won’t get sweeter, they will soften slightly over a day or two.
Keep them at room temperature, out of direct sunlight, to allow this slight softening to occur.
Just don’t expect a dramatic flavor change since the sugars are already set in when you pick purple plums.
2. Refrigeration for Longer Life
Once your purple plums are fully ripe, move them to the refrigerator immediately.
Place them in a single layer in a plastic bag or airtight container to prevent them from absorbing other odors.
Ripe purple plums can last for about three to five days in the fridge.
This storage method is perfect for keeping your hard-earned harvest fresh and delicious.
3. Freezing or Canning the Excess
When you find yourself with an abundance and you’ve picked purple plums faster than you can eat them, preserve them.
You can freeze purple plums by washing, pitting, and halving them before placing them in freezer bags.
Alternatively, you can make jams, jellies, or canned plums to enjoy all year long.
This way, picking purple plums at peak ripeness gives you a treat that lasts well beyond the season.
So, When is The Right Time to Pick Purple Plums?
The right time to pick purple plums is when they are fully ripe on the tree, showing deep color, yielding to gentle pressure, and slipping off easily.
Since they won’t sweeten after you pick purple plums, waiting for these signs is the only way to guarantee perfect flavor.
Use the color, squeeze, and twist tests together to pinpoint the exact moment when to pick purple plums in your garden.
And always remember that taste-testing one fruit is your most reliable final confirmation for when to pick purple plums.
Hope this guide helps you enjoy the sweetest, juiciest harvest from your very own tree.
Happy picking!