We are harvesting our purple plum ‘Czar’ from the small tree on our allotment right now. This tree had an unfortunate start to its life – bought fairly cheaply from a supermarket, it spent two seasons in a pot next to a fence because at the time I had no space to plant it! As a result it became rather mis-shaped. A few years on though, and after some careful pruning, the tree looks absolutely fine.

Plums are ready to pick when just softening and developing a white bloom on the fruit. The best thing is to pick one you think is ripe and taste it!

Beware of plums which are discoloured, mistaken and ripen early, This is often an indication of the presence of the pink plum moth maggot inside the fruit which causes the fruit to fall prematurely. ‘Czar’ and ‘Victoria’ are especially susceptible to this pest. Late ripening fruit are likely to be unaffected so hold out for the later crop especially if you are giving some of your produce away!

The fruit can be used if the maggot is removed and the frass (the dark brown excrement of the larva) is cut away and washed out. Best cooked though!