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How to Grow Governor Plum

Governor Plum

Prunus salicina 'Governor'

tree

Governor is a Japanese plum variety prized for its large, sweet yellow fruits with a firm texture and excellent flavor. This mid-season cultivar is a reliable producer and performs well in both fresh eating and culinary applications. The tree grows to medium height and is moderately vigorous, making it suitable for home orchards.

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Example Governor Plum timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Governor Plum

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Governor Plum

    Late summer into fall

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Governor Plum dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum; 8+ hours preferred for best fruit quality
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Water: Regular watering during growing season and fruit development; 1-1.5 inches per week. Reduce watering after harvest. Avoid waterlogging in winter dormancy.
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Spacing: 240 inches
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Days to maturity: Governor begins bearing fruit in 3-4 years from transplant; full productivity in 5-6 years
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Planting depth: Plant at same depth as nursery container; graft union should be 2-3 inches above soil line

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with good organic matter content
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
compost aged manure peat moss or coco coir for water retention

Growing Zones

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Zones 6-8 are ideal; zones 5b and 9a are marginal

5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

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Growth Stages

1

Dormancy

November-March

Bare branches with no leaves; buds are present along limbs. Tree is leafless from November through February in most zones.

Perform dormant pruning in late winter before bud break. Remove crossing branches, dead wood, and shape canopy. Prune moderately to maintain open form.

2

Budbreak & Bloom

3-4 weeks

Pink and white flower buds swell and open into showy blossoms. Flowers appear before or as leaves emerge, typically mid to late spring.

Monitor for frost damage to flowers. Do not prune at this stage. Governor is self-fertile but sets better crops with another plum pollinator nearby. Thin excessive flower clusters if desired.

3

Leaf Growth & Fruit Set

4-6 weeks

Foliage emerges fully as flowers fade. Small fruit clusters develop at flower sites; natural fruit drop occurs. Leaves are long, glossy, and dark green.

Thin developing fruitlets to 4-6 inches apart to promote large, quality fruit. Remove damaged or diseased fruitlets. Water consistently. Begin fertilizing with balanced NPK monthly.

4

Fruit Development

6-8 weeks

Yellow fruits enlarge and develop characteristic flavor and sweetness. Skin gradually transitions to golden yellow, sometimes with red blush. Fruits become firm and develop full size.

Continue regular watering; inconsistent moisture causes cracking and poor flavor. Support heavy-laden branches with props. Monitor for pests and disease. Cease nitrogen fertilizing by mid-summer to avoid overvigorous growth.

5

Harvest & Dormancy

August-November

Fruits reach full maturity with deep yellow color and optimal sweetness. After harvest, tree gradually defoliates as temperatures cool in fall.

Harvest when fruits yield slightly to gentle pressure but are still firm. Early to mid-August in most zones. Avoid bruising. Post-harvest, reduce water and allow tree to enter dormancy naturally. Clean up fallen fruit and leaves.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Santa Rosa plum Methley plum Black Amber plum Flowering cherry Serviceberry Crabapple

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Walnut trees Heavy root competitors like maple or oak trees

Common Pests

  • Codling moth traps in early spring; bagging developing fruit; spinosad spray in late spring and summer; dormant oil spray in late winter

  • Hand-pick in early morning; use pheromone traps away from trees; spinosad or carbaryl spray if severe

  • Remove fallen fruit immediately; dormant oil spray pre-bloom; malathion or spinosad spray 7-10 days after petal fall; repeat every 2-3 weeks

  • Maintain tree health and water regularly; horticultural oil spray in spring; miticide if populations high

  • Prune and destroy infected branches; improve air circulation; fungicide spray (copper or sulfur) in spring if history of infection

Uses

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Fresh eating and desserts

Culinary

Governor plums are exceptional for fresh eating due to their large size, firm texture, and sweet golden flavor. They are also excellent in desserts, compotes, and preserves. [source]

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Jams and preserves

Culinary

The firm flesh and good pectin content make Governor plums ideal for jams, jellies, and canned preserves. The golden color produces beautiful amber preserves. [source]

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Digestive and antioxidant benefits

Medicinal

Plums are high in vitamin C, fiber, and polyphenol antioxidants that support digestive health and may help reduce inflammation. The dried fruits (prunes) are particularly noted for their laxative properties. [source]

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Pollinator attraction

Wildlife

Governor plum trees bloom profusely with fragrant pink and white flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The blossoms provide early-season nectar when few other sources are available. [source]

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Ornamental landscape value

Household

Beyond fruit production, Governor plum trees provide beautiful spring blossoms and attractive summer foliage, making them valuable in home orchards and landscape settings for both aesthetics and productivity. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Governor plums ripen in early to mid-August depending on zone and weather. Harvest when fruits are golden yellow and yield slightly to finger pressure but remain firm. Ripe fruits should have a sweet aroma. Pluck fruits gently with a slight twist; they do not ripen further off the tree. Store at room temperature for 1-2 days to maximize flavor, or refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Governor plum is a Japanese plum variety that typically begins bearing fruit 3-4 years after planting, making it one of the faster fruiting plum cultivars for home gardeners.
  • 🌱 The tree is self-fertile, meaning it can produce fruit without a separate pollinator tree, though yields are often improved with cross-pollination from compatible Japanese plum varieties.
  • 🌱 Governor plums have firm, crisp flesh that resists bruising during harvest and transport, making them one of the better Japanese plum varieties for long-distance shipping and storage compared to softer cultivars.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Full Sun
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