General Information

• Scroll down or click on any month for plant care instructions
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December

  January 1. Buy Buy bare-root trees from a reputable source to get the varieties you want. 2. Plant Plant bare-root trees immediately after you get them, or container trees anytime, in full sun in well-drained soil in a location with good air circulation and as much winter chilling as possible. 3. Treat for Pest/Disease If pests or fungal diseases have been a problem, spray trees this month with a dormant spray that combines horticultural oil with lime sulfur.

  February 1. Buy Buy bare-root trees from a reputable source to get the varieties you want. 2. Plant Plant bare-root trees immediately after you get them, or container trees anytime, in full sun in well-drained soil in a location with good air circulation and as much winter chilling as possible.

  March 1. Buy Buy established trees in containers from a reputable source to get the varieties you want. 2. Plant Plant bare-root trees immediately after you get them, or container trees anytime, in full sun in well-drained soil in a location with good air circulation and as much winter chilling as possible. 3. Fertilize Fertilize with a balanced plant food such as 10-10-10. 4. Mulch Mulch to conserve water use.

  April 1. Buy Buy established trees in containers from a reputable source to get the varieties you want. 2. Plant Plant bare-root trees immediately after you get them, or container trees anytime, in full sun in well-drained soil in a location with good air circulation and as much winter chilling as possible. 3. Water Water trees regularly during the growing season, but do not over-water.

  May 1. Water Water trees regularly during the growing season, but do not over-water. 2. Prune If crop is heavy, thin fruit as it forms to 4-6\" apart on the branches. Prune to control size and branch structure when you thin fruit.

  June 1. Water Water trees regularly during the growing season, but do not over-water. 2. Prune If crop is heavy, thin fruit as it forms to 4-6\" apart on the branches. Prune to control size and branch structure when you thin fruit. 3. Mulch Mulch to conserve water use. 4. Protect Protect ripening fruit from birds with netting, if necessary. 5. Harvest Harvest plums when they are fully ripe and sweet.

  July 1. Water Water trees regularly during the growing season, but do not over-water. 2. Prune If you haven\'t already done so, prune trees to control size and branch structure. 3. Protect Protect ripening fruit from birds with netting, if necessary. 4. Harvest Harvest plums when they are fully ripe and sweet.

  August 1. Fertilize Fertilize with a balanced plant food such as 10-10-10. 2. Water Water trees regularly during the growing season, but do not over-water. 3. Protect Protect ripening fruit from birds with netting, if necessary. 4. Harvest Harvest plums when they are fully ripe and sweet.

  September 1. Water Water trees regularly during the growing season, but do not over-water. 2. Mulch Mulch to conserve water use.

  October 1. Buy Buy established trees in containers from a reputable source to get the varieties you want. 2. Plant Plant bare-root trees immediately after you get them, or container trees anytime, in full sun in well-drained soil in a location with good air circulation and as much winter chilling as possible. 3. Water Water trees regularly during the growing season, but do not over-water.

  November 1. Buy Buy established trees in containers from a reputable source to get the varieties you want. 2. Plant Plant bare-root trees immediately after you get them, or container trees anytime, in full sun in well-drained soil in a location with good air circulation and as much winter chilling as possible.

  December 1. Buy Buy established trees in containers from a reputable source to get the varieties you want. 2. Plant Plant bare-root trees immediately after you get them, or container trees anytime, in full sun in well-drained soil in a location with good air circulation and as much winter chilling as possible.

• Buy When's the best time to buy this plant? When can you buy these from seed (if you can)? When is it usually available? What are things to look for when you're buying it? Or anything other tidbit of information you can share! January Buy bare-root trees from a reputable source to get the varieties you want. February Buy bare-root trees from a reputable source to get the varieties you want. March Buy established trees in containers from a reputable source to get the varieties you want. April Buy established trees in containers from a reputable source to get the varieties you want. October Buy established trees in containers from a reputable source to get the varieties you want. November Buy established trees in containers from a reputable source to get the varieties you want. December Buy established trees in containers from a reputable source to get the varieties you want.

  Plant When's a good time to plant this plant or bulb? Any special planting instructions? January Plant bare-root trees immediately after you get them, or container trees anytime, in full sun in well-drained soil in a location with good air circulation and as much winter chilling as possible. February Plant bare-root trees immediately after you get them, or container trees anytime, in full sun in well-drained soil in a location with good air circulation and as much winter chilling as possible. March Plant bare-root trees immediately after you get them, or container trees anytime, in full sun in well-drained soil in a location with good air circulation and as much winter chilling as possible. April Plant bare-root trees immediately after you get them, or container trees anytime, in full sun in well-drained soil in a location with good air circulation and as much winter chilling as possible. October Plant bare-root trees immediately after you get them, or container trees anytime, in full sun in well-drained soil in a location with good air circulation and as much winter chilling as possible. November Plant bare-root trees immediately after you get them, or container trees anytime, in full sun in well-drained soil in a location with good air circulation and as much winter chilling as possible. December Plant bare-root trees immediately after you get them, or container trees anytime, in full sun in well-drained soil in a location with good air circulation and as much winter chilling as possible.

  Fertilize When should you fertilize this plant? Which kind of fertilizer do you recommend? Should you use different fertilizers at different times of year? March Fertilize with a balanced plant food such as 10-10-10. August Fertilize with a balanced plant food such as 10-10-10.

  Water Is there a time to reduce or increase watering? Any special requirements? Things to avoid during certain times of the year? April Water trees regularly during the growing season, but do not over-water. May Water trees regularly during the growing season, but do not over-water. June Water trees regularly during the growing season, but do not over-water. July Water trees regularly during the growing season, but do not over-water. August Water trees regularly during the growing season, but do not over-water. September Water trees regularly during the growing season, but do not over-water. October Water trees regularly during the growing season, but do not over-water.

  Prune When's a good time to prune this plant? How about deadheading, pinching back, trimming or any other grooming? Any special requirements? May If crop is heavy, thin fruit as it forms to 4-6\" apart on the branches. Prune to control size and branch structure when you thin fruit. June If crop is heavy, thin fruit as it forms to 4-6\" apart on the branches. Prune to control size and branch structure when you thin fruit. July If you haven\'t already done so, prune trees to control size and branch structure.

  Mulch Does this plant need to be mulched? Are there specific types of Mulch which are better for this plant? How much? March Mulch to conserve water use. June Mulch to conserve water use. September Mulch to conserve water use.

  Protect When and how should you protect this plant from birds, deer, rabbits? Does this plant need be covered, or wrapped or painted or moved? June Protect ripening fruit from birds with netting, if necessary. July Protect ripening fruit from birds with netting, if necessary. August Protect ripening fruit from birds with netting, if necessary.

  Treat for Pest/Disease How do you treat the common problems for this plant? What products or concoctions or natural means do you use? Any special requirements? January If pests or fungal diseases have been a problem, spray trees this month with a dormant spray that combines horticultural oil with lime sulfur.

  Harvest When's a good time to harvest this plant? What's the best way to harvest? Are there special requirements or features? June Harvest plums when they are fully ripe and sweet. July Harvest plums when they are fully ripe and sweet. August Harvest plums when they are fully ripe and sweet.