I never thought I'd become the person who gets excited about fruit picking seasons. Yet here I am, checking my calendar in July and thinking, "Plum-picking season is coming!"
When to Go Plum Picking (Without Wasting a Trip)
Nothing's more disappointing than driving out to an orchard only to find out you're two weeks early or late.
Most places start having plums ready around:
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Early/mid-July for early varieties
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August for the main harvest
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September for late varieties like Italian prune plums
BUT. This totally changes based on:
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Where you live (obviously southern states get plums earlier)
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The weather that year (hot spring = early plums)
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The specific varieties grown
The most reliable method? Call before you go. Seriously. Or check the Champlain Orchard's social media page - most post updates about what's ready. If you're in Vermont, Champlain Orchards is a great resource for knowing when different fruits are ready for picking.
How to Tell if a Plum is Actually Ripe
This is the most important thing: color lies.
Many plums look perfectly ripe – that gorgeous deep purple or red – days or even a week before they're actually ready to eat. If you pick solely based on color, you'll end up with beautiful fruit that tastes like slightly sweetened lemon juice.
Here's my actual process for testing plums:
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Look for the full-color development (variety dependent)
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Gently press near the stem – it should feel slightly soft
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If it feels promising, cup the plum in your hand and give it a gentle twist
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If it comes away easily, it's ready. If you have to tug or yank, leave it be
The twist test is the most reliable in my experience. Nature designed fruit to be ready when it easily detaches from the tree.
Some orchards frown on the twist test because they don't want people damaging unripe fruit. In that case, stick to the gentle pressure test. A ripe plum has some give when gently squeezed.
What Nobody Tells You About Pick-Your-Own Orchards
Most "U-Pick" blog posts make orchards sound like magical wonderlands with perfect fruit hanging at arm level. In reality:
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The best fruit is often at the top (bring a friend who's tall)
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You will get sticky. So sticky. Like, "don't touch the car door handle" sticky
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There will probably be wasps. They're also there for the plums. Maintain a respectful distance and they'll ignore you
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You might need to squat or bend in awkward positions to reach fruit
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Some fruit will have bird pecks, bug damage, or other imperfections
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The ground might be uneven or muddy
None of this makes plum picking less fun – it's just the reality of harvesting food directly from nature.
I've found that wearing clothes I don't care about, bringing wet wipes, and approaching the experience with a sense of adventure makes it more enjoyable. You're not shopping at a grocery store; you're having an agricultural experience.
The Economic Reality of Plum Picking: Is It Worth It?
Let's be real about this. You're probably not saving money by picking your own plums when you factor in:
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The drive to the orchard
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The entrance fee some places charge
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The time involved
But that's not really the point. What you're paying for is:
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Vastly superior quality and flavor
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The experience itself
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Supporting local agriculture
That said, if you're picking for preserving or baking, the math works out better. You can pay $30 for enough plums to make 15 jars of jam, plus plenty for fresh eating. The equivalent amount of high-quality jam would have cost well over $100.
What to Actually Do With All Those Plums
You will pick more than you intended to. Everyone does. You get caught up in the hunt for perfect specimens and suddenly you've got 10 pounds of plums.
Here's what to do with them:
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Eat them fast. Freshly picked, fully ripe plums only last a few days in the fridge. Put them in a bowl on your counter and eat them constantly.
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Make a super simple galette. Roll out a premade pie crust, put sliced plums in the middle, fold up the edges, sprinkle with sugar, and bake at 375°F for about 35 minutes. Looks impressive, takes minimal effort.
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Freeze them for later. Cut in half, remove pits, place on a baking sheet, freeze, then transfer to bags. Future you will thank present you in winter.
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Make refrigerator jam. You can cut them up, add sugar and cook them in the pot, and voila, you’ve got some jam.
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Give them away. Co-workers, neighbors, and friends are usually happy to receive fresh fruit. Just warn them to eat it quickly.
Why Local Plums Matter (And Why Supermarket Plums are Not That Great)
Most supermarket plums are picked when they're completely underripe so they can survive shipping and storage. They're also limited to a few commercial varieties chosen for size, color, and shipping durability rather than flavor.
The plums you'll find at local orchards are different:
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Tree-ripened for maximum flavor
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Often heirloom varieties you can't find commercially
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Picked within hours or days of when you buy them
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Grown with more focus on taste than shipping potential
The difference is striking. Once you've had a properly ripened Green Gage or Santa Rosa plum fresh from the tree, the supermarket versions taste like sad, watery imitations.
Plum Picking as a Family Activity
Taking kids plum picking can be either wonderful or a complete disaster. A few tips from someone who's seen both outcomes:
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Keep it short – 30-45 minutes max for young kids
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Bring water and snacks (yes, even though you're literally surrounded by food)
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Set clear expectations about how many plums they can eat while picking
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Give them their own small container to fill
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Have wet wipes – so many wet wipes
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Consider bringing a change of clothes for the car ride home
Some of my favorite memories are watching kids taste their first tree-ripened plum. The look of surprise followed by the juice-dripping smile is priceless.
Final Thoughts on Why Plum Picking Matters
Most of us are disconnected from our food sources, so there's something powerful about participating in the ancient act of harvesting fruit. It creates a deeper appreciation for what's involved in producing our food and connects us to the rhythms of the seasons.
Plus, there's the simple pleasure of eating something at its absolute peak of flavor – something that's becoming increasingly rare in our convenience-focused food system.
So check out local orchards in your area. Follow those hand-painted "PLUMS" signs down country roads. Get sticky and sun-warmed and maybe a little mosquito-bitten.
If you enjoy plum picking, don't stop there! Depending on the season, you might also want to try:
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Strawberry picking in early summer
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Cherry picking right before plum season begins
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Raspberry picking for a less messy but equally delicious experience
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Currant picking if you're feeling adventurous and want to try something different
The plums are worth it.