How to grow Damson in the UK
- TypeTree
- Ready to pickSeptember, October
- Space neededabout 3m x 3m
When is damson ready to pick?
September-October.
Ripe when dark blue-black and slightly soft.
Looking after damson
- Prune in summer only, like plums
- Tough and easy - happy in a windy spot or as part of a hedge
Storing and keeping
Too sharp to eat raw for most people - great for jam, crumble and damson gin (grown-ups!). Freezes well.
Pests and problems
Few problems - wasps on very ripe fruit.
Good varieties
- Merryweather: Big damsons, almost sweet enough to eat raw.
- Farleigh: Tough, good in a windbreak hedge.
Plan your own garden: it tells you what to do and when, for your postcode.
Start growing - it's free