How can you tell when Sandhill Plums are ripe?

I was curious because my boyfriend wants to know and also does anyone have any good jam recipes for the plums?? Thanks

How can you tell when Sandhill Plums are ripe?
Ask a neighbor or the County Extension Service, but in general go by taste and firmness.



I am not really familiar with Sandhill Plums, being from Iowa. However they should make a good jam or butter.



A few pointers for wild plum jam -

Wash and remove any bad spots. Don't pit them before cooking them. The best/sweetest part is right next to the pit. It's a sloppy mess, but cook them slowly until soft and *then* remove the pits. If the skins are bitter, which is true with some wild plums, you'll need to put them through a colander to remove the skins.



Add sugar to taste. This will range from 1/2 to equal the volume of the pulp. Bring back to a simmer and cook to desired consistancy. I put several saucers in the freezer. I put a dolop of jam on one of them and let it cool a bit. If I can make a line through it with my finger, then it is done.



Ladle into 1/2 pint jars and seal.
Reply:SAND HILL PLUM

Prunus angustifolia

Native Range

Sand hill plum, or Chickasaw plum, is native in much of Kansas. It is the most common wild plum

in western Kansas. It is found naturally on sandy prairies where it is very effective in

stopping blowing sand. Sand hill plum is similar to American plum, both forms thickets from roots

suckers. They differ in site characteristics and plant and leaf size.

Mature Size

Sand hill plum grows to a height of 3 to 4 feet with a spread of 4 to 6 feet.

Growth Rate

It grows at about 12 to 18 inches per year.

Leaves, Stems and Fruit

Leaves are elliptical with small teeth on the edges. The 1 to 2 ? inches long leaves are slightly

folded lengthwise with the tip curled down and are located on alternate sides of the twig. Flowers

are white and form in early April before leaves appear. Fruits are bright red or orange with a whitish

film and three-quarters to one inch long. They mature in late June or July and persist to mid-August.

Twigs are rigid and often spine-tipped.

Use

Wildlife Habitat

Sand hill plum is a popular plant for use in developing wildlife habitat on sandy soils. The thorny

thicket is valuable for songbird and game bird nesting, loafing and roosting. Various other animals

also use it for loafing, bedding and escape cover. The fruit is consumed by numerous birds and

other animals.

Windbreaks

This plant may be used as the outside row of a windbreak for ground level wind protection. White

flowers are attractive and fragrant in the spring. Some people find its thicket forming habit

objectionable in windbreaks.

Water Erosion Control

Sand hill plum is very effective in stabilizing blowing soil. It is also used to stabilize stream banks

and gullies.

Human Food

The fruit is used for making wine, jam and jelly.

Adaptation

Statewide.

Soil

Sand hill plum grows naturally on sandy soils, but will perform well when planted on heavier

clay-loam soils.

Spacing

Sand hill plums are spaced 3 to 4 feet apart.

Culture

One-year-old, bare-root seedlings, 18 to 24 inches tall, are used in plantings. Sand hill plum

seedlings are not as vigorous as American plum seedlings. Control of weed and grass competition

during the first and second years is important in survival and early growth.

Pests

Insects and diseases may occasionally attack this species, but usually are not a serious problem.

Rabbits may chew on the bark, but new sprouts will form to replace injured stems.