Bad Weather Has Put Plums in Short Supply : But some county orchards will let you pick the juicy gems right off the tree, and at a good price.

Continuing a trend in dismal California summer tree fruit, this season’s plum crop is hitting the marketplace with all the force of dripping sap.

Gary Van Sickle, field director of the California Tree Fruit Agreement, an industry trade group, described the harvest as “terrible.”

Fanciers of these sweet gems can expect big shortages--caused by persistent bad weather--at area stores.

Van Sickle said the crop is expected to produce about 7 million boxes of fruit this season--a box contains 28 pounds of fruit--compared with last year’s 17.4 million boxes.

“The overall plum crop will be about 35% of last year’s crop,” he said.

Shortages will continue throughout the plum season, which generally lasts into early October. Consumers can expect inflated prices to persist.

“These shortages definitely will mean higher retail prices,” Van Sickle said.

But don’t expect the price tag to be prohibitive. One benefit for the consumer is that retailers are willing to absorb some of the higher cost.

“They can’t afford to tag on an unrealistic price,” Van Sickle said. “Plums are a luxury item and they are basically purchased by impulse. [A retailer] has to have a reasonable price structure or people simply won’t buy them.”

In normal times, plums are often sold for about 69 cents to 99 cents a pound. This summer, you can expect to pay as much as $1.49, Van Sickle said.

Like most mass-marketed tree fruits, plums are picked before reaching a truly ripe stage.

“Most plums are picked when the fruit is basically at a point where it will complete the ripening process in two or three days,” Van Sickle said.

A trusty brown bag can be employed to complete the process. Drop your purchase into the bag and fold it shut for a day or two. Any fruit not eaten right away can be placed in the fridge to keep around longer.

While many store-bought plums are harvested in the San Joaquin Valley, local plum enthusiasts can procure them fresh from the tree at a few spots around Ventura County.

The Underwood Ranches, 5696 Los Angeles Ave. in Somis, has a wealth of plums available for the picking or purchasing off the shelf. Currently, its sweet yellow plums are being picked, and in a few weeks a couple of the red varieties will begin ripen. You can fill a bag for 99 cents a pound. Call 386-4660.

Tierra Rejada Ranch, 3370 Moorpark Road in Moorpark, is allowing customers to pick fruit from its Santa Rosa variety plum tree. There’s only one tree, but don’t let that prevent you from stopping by. The drive alone is worth checking out the impressive assortment of you-pick vegetables found here. Call 529-3690.

Spring Valley Farm in Somis offers two varieties of plums. The deep purple-hued Santa Rosa variety will be available through mid-July, the juicy Satsuma type through mid-August. The ranch stand is at 4303 Sand Canyon Road. Call first: 987-3814.