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.

Cherry Time Again

When Doris bought us a cherry tree for our anniversary five years ago I never thought we would be blessed with such an abundance of fruit. There are four kinds of cherries on this tree which now stands taller than our home. I actually pick many of the cherries while standing on the roof of our home.

Most of the fruit is of the large yellow type. Excellent for eating or preserving. Its greatest use is fattening up the blackbirds. On the day I plan to pick I must get all I wish as the birds take over. They glean the trees clean in short order. Since today is picking day we are fortunate that the birds have not come in numbers to fill their crops.

We get enough fruit for many families and I extend a welcome to my family and friends to come pick all you wish. We make cherry jam, my favourite, jelly and freeze bags for pies and baking. They freeze well and last year we were able to use the frozen fruit until we retreated to Florida. We are happy with the crop and it will make up for the no show of apples. Our apple trees were full of blossoms but too early as they never got pollinated.We have one little apple on one tree and a handful on the other. Well next year it will be better.

For today I have to try to put some of the picked cherries in the pot and not in my mouth. They are so tempting. Mother nature delivered again and we are thankful.