Waneta Plum
- Taste: Richly sweet and juicy with a subtle tang; firm clingstone flesh that holds its shape yet almost melts in your mouth.
- Skin & Flesh Color: Glossy reddish-purple skin over bright golden-yellow flesh.
- Harvest Season: Late season—typically ripens from late August into early September.
- Hardiness & Climate: Thrives in USDA Zones 3–8; exceptionally cold-tolerant; prefers full sun and well-drained, loamy soils.
- Disease Resistance: Generally resistant to common plum pests and diseases; moderate susceptibility to brown rot in humid climates—ensure good air circulation and a light fungicide program if needed.
- Pollination: Requires a compatible plum partner (European or American group) such as Toka, Methley, or Brookred; also serves as a dependable pollinator for other late-blooming varieties.
- Best Uses: Fresh eating, canning, preserving, baking, and jams; its firm texture holds up beautifully in pies and compotes.
- Storage Life: Keeps up to 2 weeks when refrigerated at 32–40 °F.
- Origin & History: Introduced from N.E. Hansen’s South Dakota breeding program, ‘Waneta’ has earned a reputation since the early 20th century for reliable yields, cold hardiness, and high-quality fruit.
