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Plum variety

Green Gage

Also known as Green Gage (Bavay's), Bavay's Green Gage, Reine Claude

The short answer

Green Gage requires 700 chill hours[1]. It is self-fertile[1].

Growing facts

Green Gage growing facts
Chill requirement700 chill hours[1] (nursery figure)
HardinessNot published for this variety
PollinationSelf-fertile, bloom group 4[1]
Harvest windowAugust[1]
Years to bearing3–5 years (typical for plums)[2]
USDA pomological watercolor of Green Gage plum
Prunus domestica: Green GageUSDA pomological watercolor, Royal Charles Steadman, 1919 · USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

Plate provenance[3]

Notes

  • European gage-type plum; self-fruitful, richly flavored and very sweet, excellent fresh and for cooking.[1]
  • Estimated winter chilling requirement about 700 hours.[1]

A year with your Green Gage

When the work happens for a plum in USDA zone 6, anchored to typical frost dates.

Months for pruning, thinning, spray-timing windows, and harvest for Plum in zone 6
TaskJFMAMJJASOND
Prune——————————
Thin———————————
Spray timing——————
Harvest————————
Care———————————

See the full month-by-month plum calendar for zone 6 →

Can I grow Green Gage where I live?

Check the verdict for a few regions, or your exact ZIP:

Growing a Green Gage? Get its care calendar for your exact ZIP code, with email reminders.

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Questions

How many chill hours does Green Gage need?
Green Gage needs 700 chill hours.
Is Green Gage self-pollinating?
Green Gage is self-fertile, though a pollination partner can improve cropping.

Sources

  1. [1] Dave Wilson Nursery. Green Gage (Bavay's) European Plum — DWN Variety Finder — accessed July 2026
  2. [2] Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. How soon will a newly planted fruit tree begin to bear fruit? (Yard and Garden FAQ) — accessed July 2026
  3. [3] USDA National Agricultural Library. USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection (Rare and Special Collections, 1886-1942) — accessed July 2026