Growing Plums in Connecticut

University of Connecticut

Growing Plums in Connecticut
Dawn Pettinelli, Extension Instructor

Plums have been cultivated for thousands of years with Alexander the Great given credit for introducing them into Greece. Pliny the Elder, a Roman scholar, noted this fruit in his first century writings. It is easy to see why plums are a time honored favorite fruit. They are tasty, beautiful in bloom, and not very difficult to grow, making plums a great addition to the edible landscape.

Plums are also quite nutritious containing cancer fighting anti-oxidants, many vitamins and minerals and fiber. Plus they contain only about 40 calories. The estimated United States production of plums in 2004 was 656 million pounds with a per capita consumption of 1.3 pounds of plums that same year.

Gregory J. Weidemann, Director, Cooperative Extension System, The University of Connecticut