Plums are a traditional ingredient cherished in various forms on our tables, utilized in making plum syrup, pickled plums, and plum wine. The most crucial aspect of harvesting plums is when to pick them. Harvesting too early results in a higher content of amygdalin, a toxic substance unique to plums, and the flesh becomes firm with a lack of aroma. Conversely, harvesting too late causes the flesh to become easily bruised and turn into yellow plums, making them unsuitable for pickling. Especially in 2026, with significant fluctuations in climate change, the plum picking and harvest times can be unpredictable. In this post, we will explore the 2026 plum picking season, regional and varietal characteristics, and the optimal harvest timing.

2026 Plum Picking Season and Standard Harvest Period

Generally, plum harvesting in South Korea begins around the Mangjong solar term. This year, Mangjong falls on June 5th. However, this cannot be uniformly applied nationwide, as harvest times can vary depending on regional temperatures and sunlight. The approximate regional harvest cycles for 2026 are as follows:

• Southern Coastal Regions (Gwangyang, Suncheon, Hadong, Boseong, etc.): Around May 25th to mid-June
• Southern Inland and Central-Southern Regions (Jeonbuk, Gyeongbuk, parts of Chungcheong): Around June 5th to late June
• Central Regions (Gyeonggi, Seoul, Incheon, Gangwon, Northern Chungcheong areas): Around June 15th to early July

Furthermore, the harvest time should be distinguished based on how the plums will be processed. Green plums are ideal for crisp pickles, and the period from the start of the harvest for about 2 weeks is optimal. Yellow plums are when they ripen to a yellowish hue, reaching their peak citric acid and vitamin content, and this period begins as the green plum harvest starts to wind down.

Impact of 2026 Climate Characteristics on Plum Picking Season

2026 has been a year of particularly noticeable climate change. Specifically, the plum farming community has suffered damage due to a combination of unusually warm winters and late spring frosts. This has led to significant variations in fruit yield and inconsistent fruit development speeds. Therefore, blindly following the calendar for harvesting plums can lead to disappointment.

Plum Picking Season and Harvest Time by Variety

There are various types of plums cultivated in Korea. Since each variety has a different ripening speed and cold tolerance, it is important to know the variety of plum you are growing or intend to purchase. The main varieties and their harvest times are as follows:

• Cheonmae: Early June (Southern regions), June 15th-20th (Central regions)
• Cheongchuk: Around mid-June
• Namgo: Mid-June (Southern regions), late June (Central regions)
• Okyeong: Mid to late June

How to Identify the Optimal Harvest Signs

Plums are best harvested between 80 to 90 days after flowering for optimal nutritional content and processing suitability. However, judgment should be based on the external signs of the fruit. The signs for harvesting ripe green plums are as follows:

• Fruit Size: When the fruit reaches its varietal-specific size
• Skin Color and Texture: When it changes from deep green to light green
• Seed Hardening: When the seeds have become firm

Meanwhile, the signs for harvesting ripe yellow plums can be determined through their aroma, color transition, and firmness.

Points to Note During Plum Harvest

Avoid harvesting on rainy days, and be careful to prevent bruising during post-harvest storage and transportation. Plum skin is delicate, so wear soft cotton gloves and handle them gently during harvest.

The 2026 plum harvest is a process of accurately capturing the time of natural full ripeness. With climate change making each plum feel more precious, we hope you will carefully target the optimal harvest time according to your processing needs. May you have an abundant summer, joyfully gathering the fruits of fresh green and fragrant yellow hues!