Plums are one of the juiciest, sweetest little fruits that you can enjoy. While they’re similar to peaches and pears in that they have a hard pit at their center, plums have a unique taste and texture all their own. Plums are readily available at most grocery stores and roadside produce stands no matter where you are in the country.
However, if you’re looking for a challenge that’s just “plum” good, you should try growing your own at home. To help give you the best chance at success, this article will look at several options if you want the best soil for plum trees.
Our Picks For the Best Soil For Plum Trees
Without further ado, let’s dive right into our list of products we love. Then we’ll discuss the factors you need to evaluate in order to pick the plum tree soil that’s right for your garden or orchard.
Overall Best Soil for Plum Trees
Fish Sh!t Organic Soil Conditioner
Not only does this product have the best name ever for a planting product, but it also happens to be the best soil for plum trees. Granted, this product isn’t soil in itself. Instead, it’s a liquid conditioner that you add to one of the three types of soils listed above. By adding it in the right quantities and at the right time of year according to the instructions, you’re all but guaranteed to have some delicious plums.
Fish Sh!t Soil Conditioner consists of more than 3,000 different fungi and bacteria that are selected for the purpose of helping your plum trees grow tall. It has the ability to increase your harvest by nearly one-third and is one of the best investments you can make. The reason it works so well is that all the bacteria and fungi added to the conditioner are aquatic species, which have a profound effect on terrestrial plants.
Pros
- Can increase your plum crop by one-third
- Produces stronger, thicker roots, buds, and stems
- 100% organic
- Claims to be the most beneficial and robust soil conditioner on the market
Cons
- You’ll still have to choose the right type of soil for this conditioner to work
Runner Up for Best Soil for Plum Trees
Fox Farm Ocean Forest Potting Soil
Fox Farm Ocean Forest Potting Soil is right up there with Fish Sh!t. However, where Fish Sh!t takes an unconditional approach to its ingredients and is a conditioner rather than soil, Fox Farm Ocean Forest is the real deal. It’s an organic product that uses things like earthworm castings, bat guano, and peat moss as its ingredients. However, they also sneak some crab and fish byproducts in for good measure.
Another reason this product took the runner-up spot for the best soil for plum trees is that it has a perfect pH level for plums. The acidity level combined with the organic mixture of ingredients and excellent drainage of this soil produces tall, strong plum trees. It also helps to strengthen the roots, stems, and offshoots that your tree produces.
Pros
- The main ingredient is peat moss which has excellent drainage
- Includes a wide variety of ingredients including earthworm castings, bat poop, aquatic byproducts, and forest hummus
- Boasts having everything that your plum tree needs to flourish
- Comes in a wide variety of sizes or even in bulk for multiple trees
- Has the perfect pH level for plums
Cons
- A little on the pricy side if you get the small package
Best Organic Soil for Plum Trees
Espoma Organic Tree Food
While many of the best soils for plum trees are organic, Epsoma Organic Tree Food gets special recognition on our list. The reason for this is that it’s 100% organic and extremely affordable, in that it’s roughly half the price of most other organic soils. This product from Epsoma is also one of the most versatile on the market as it’s perfect for a wide variety of fruit, citrus, and vegetable trees.
While all of the ingredients in this product are organic, it gets an extra kick of potency from Bio-tome microbes. These microbes, along with the consistency of the soil make for excellent drainage and moisture retention when necessary. It’s also formulated for slowly releasing the nutrients it contains and to last as long as possible.
This product is also safe for people and animals, which means you don’t have to worry if you forget to wash your hands after handling it or fear that your dog will get into it when you’re not looking. Another reason this product is one of the best soils for plum trees is that it’s a comprehensive product that helps with the overall health of the tree. It’s your one-stop shop when you need excellent plum-growing soil.
Pros
- Comprehensive, full plum tree coverage
- Has added microbes for additional growth and support
- 100% organic and contains zero additives
- Safe for pets and humans if you accidentally consume a little
- Long-lasting and slow releasing
Cons
- Not ideal if you have multiple trees because the packages are fairly small
Best Soil for Plum Trees if You’re on a Budget
Citrus Tree Potting Soil
While the name of this soil indicates it’s specifically for citrus trees, it just so happens that it’s also one of the best soils for plum trees. The reason for this is because plum trees need essentially the same pH level, nutrients, and soil texture that citrus trees do. For that reason, Citrus Tree Potting Soil is one of the most versatile options when it comes to soil.
The product in question from Soil Sunrise is especially potent for plum tree growing. It’s custom blended for citrus and plum trees and doesn’t have any additives or inorganic elements that take away from the naturality of the soil. Instead, it contains things like peat moss, earthworm castings, sand, perlite, and lime. Because of these ingredients, Citrus Tree Potting Soil also has excellent drainage, which is paramount for plum trees.
Throw in the fact that this soil also has the perfect pH level, excellent aeration, and nutrient retention, and this is easily the best soil for plum trees if you’re on a budget.
Pros
- Excellent drainage and moisture retention when necessary
- High level of aeration so your trees can breathe
- Retains nutrients for long-lasting effectiveness
- Very affordable
- 100% organic and contains all-natural products
Cons
- Better suited for individual trees rather than an entire farm
How to Choose the Best Soil for Plum Trees
There are several considerations to keep in mind when choosing the best soil for plum trees. In general, there are four things that will determine which soil you choose.
The Type of Soil
Plum trees are fairly resilient plants and there are several different types of soil that they grow well in. As long as you choose one of these types of soil, you’re sure to have the best soil for plum trees.
Clay and silt
Any type of clay or silt soil is one of the best soils for plum trees. It should be fairly fine and made of small particles that get very sticky when you add water. This type of soil retains moisture extremely well, which is the main reason it’s a top choice for plum trees.
Loamy soil
Loamy soil is another excellent option for plum trees and is essentially a combination of things thrown together. It can consist of sand, clay, dirt, organic matter, and silt that is mixed together in a way that’s ideal for plum trees.
Sandy soil
Sandy soil is an excellent option if you live in areas with lots of dirt and little grass, such as southwestern states. As the name indicates, sandy soil consists mostly, if not entirely, of sand.
Acidity Level
Another thing to keep in mind when choosing the best soil for plum trees is the acidity level of the soil. Ideally, plum trees should be planted in soil with a pH level of between 60 and 6.8, with 6.4 being perfect. Soil with this pH level is lightly acidic, which means it isn’t too harsh for your plum tree to handle.
Drainage
One of the main things to keep in mind when choosing the best soil for plum trees is how well it drains. It’s imperative that plum trees get planted in soil that drains well but holds onto moisture when necessary. The reason drainage is important is that plum trees need lots of moisture. However, holding onto this moisture for too long could lead to disease for your trees, so drainage is crucial.
Budget
There’s a surprisingly vast price difference when it comes to the best soil for plum trees. You can spend anywhere between $10 and $60 for the right soil and it’s entirely up to you how much time and money you want to invest into your project. The more expensive soil options are usually organic and have fertilizer or organic material added to them which gives your plum trees the best chance at success.
Wrapping Up the Best Soil for Plum Trees
As you can see, there are plenty of great options when it comes to the best soil for plum trees. Plum trees are somewhat demanding when it comes to drainage and moisture retention, but they’re very forgiving otherwise. Therefore, while plum trees will definitely stretch you in terms of testing your gardening skills, they’re one of the most rewarding plants you can grow around your home.
Excited for more plum content? Then check out our plum trees page for the latest growing tips, care guides, recipes, and more!
Shopping for your garden can get overwhelming, fast. So if you’re looking for advice on tools and supplies, then you’re in the right place!
- About the Author
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Jalin Coblentz was born and raised in northeast Ohio in the heart of farming country and grew up working in the family garden growing corn, tomatoes, potatoes, and a wide range of vegetables.
Canning and preservation were also a way of life for Jalin growing up, and he spent countless hours helping his mother, grandmother, and aunts with these duties. It’s now his passion to share his skills and knowledge with others to help them achieve their own growing goals.