Cherry Picking Time

This year we are blessed with a terrific crop of cherries. We have two trees, one has the yellow cherries which are so good. Sweet, large and grow in clusters so are easy to pick. Our other tree has been grafted and has five different varieties of cherries.

This tree is eight years old and is higher than the house. I pick what we can reach with a twelve foot ladder and can reach while standing on our roof. Two days ago be picked 30 pounds and today about 15 pounds. We wash, take off the stems, and take out the stones. It is tedious work but well worth the effort.

We freeze the whole stoned cherries for pies and make jam with most of the rest. Sometimes we make cherry jelly which becomes basically cherry coloured sugar so be avoid making too much.

We tell all of our neighbours to come and pick as there are plenty for all. Mother nature sends her black birds for a feast and our local chip monks and squirrels have a feast. Unwelcome visitors are the raccoons as they break the tree branches. All in all we are very happy to share our abundance with all who wish to come and share.