How to plant and care for Damson (Merryweather)

Prunus domestica subsp. insititia

🌳 Tree 🍓 Fruit 🔁 Perennial

A popular, reliable damson variety producing abundant crops of dark purple, tart fruit. Excellent for jams, pies, and preserves. Known for its hardiness and consistent yields.

At a glance: harvest in September.

When to plant and care for it

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Harvest

Prune

Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.

Growing Damson (Merryweather): what it needs

Light: Full sun · 6+ hours a day
Watering: Regularly during dry spells, especially when young or fruiting.
Soil: Well-draining, fertile loam · pH 6.0–7.0
Spacing: 3-5m apart
In pots: Best in the ground
Feeding: Feed with balanced fruit tree fertilizer in early spring.
Harvest: About 30 days from sowing
Hardiness: USDA zones 4–8
Difficulty: Easy

Step by step

On planting day
Plant Damson Tree
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth. Gently loosen roots. Place tree, ensuring graft union is above soil level. Backfill with soil, firming gently.
Straight after “Plant Damson Tree”
Water In Damson Tree
Water thoroughly immediately after planting to settle the soil around the roots.
1 day after “Water In Damson Tree”
Stake Damson Tree
Install a sturdy stake to support the young tree against wind, tying loosely with a tree tie. Check regularly for rubbing.
7 days after “Stake Damson Tree”
First Feed for Damson Tree
Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer or well-rotted compost around the base, keeping it away from the trunk.

Every year

March
Spring Fertilizing
Apply a balanced fruit tree fertilizer or well-rotted compost around the base of the tree, avoiding direct contact with the trunk, as new growth begins.
April
Spring Pest & Disease Check
Inspect leaves, stems, and flowers for signs of pests (e.g., aphids, plum moth) or diseases (e.g., canker, leaf curl). Address issues promptly.
June
Thinning Fruit
If fruit set is very heavy, thin fruits to about 5-7cm apart to encourage larger fruit, prevent branch overload, and reduce disease risk.
July
Summer Pruning
Prune damsons in summer, never in winter: cuts made while dormant let in silver leaf disease. Remove dead, diseased or crossing branches and keep an open centre.
July
Summer Watering
Water deeply during dry periods, especially from fruit set until harvest. Young trees need more frequent watering to establish.
August
Summer Pest & Disease Check
Continue to monitor for pests and diseases, particularly plum moth, wasps, and brown rot as fruit ripens.
September
Harvest Damsons
Pick damsons when they are dark purple, soft to the touch, and easily come off the branch. They are tart and best used for cooking or preserving.
October
Autumn Mulching
Apply a fresh layer of organic mulch (e.g., wood chips, well-rotted compost) around the base of the tree to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and protect roots over winter.
November
Winter Protection Check
Ensure stakes and ties are secure and not rubbing. Protect young trunks from rodent damage if necessary. Clear fallen fruit to reduce disease spread.