APPLE PICKING TIME

We have two apple trees and they flourish in this climate of good soil, hot days and cool nights.Our oldest apple tree is a Northern Spy and the best for baking and pies. A large apple which cooks well with a yellowish colour and a tangy taste. Years ago it was prized as a winter apple because of its ability to stay fresh for months. Today with controlled atmosphere storage this is not a problem.

We picked a couple of bushels on the weekend and made apple sauce for the winter. Apple picking is not just about apples but the time of the year. For us it signals the late Indian Summer days which tells us winter is just around the corner. We have been experiencing an exceptional weather forecast for the past month and we needed this to make up for the less than friendly summer.

We could go to the local u.pick orchard and gather in our needs for a small price. We choose to grow our own and prune, spray and fertilize our beauties as a labour of love. Theresa and I often talk of downsizing and doing a little less in the field of growing but we never get around to it. Getting your hands dirty in your own soil keeps us in touch with what made this country great,the farmers who feed the world and work very hard to keep their land healthy.

We look at this lifestyle as a reality check and hope to continue growing our own produce as long as our health permits. Most of my friends agree and continue their quest for organic food.