Roses and Strawberries

This is a wonderful time of the year. Strawberries are at their best and the roses are coming into their own.We started off with two dozen  strawberries plants and after giving many away and culling out the older ones, half of our garden space is now strawberries.

Yesterday we pickled about 20 pounds or five large metal bowls. Our yield would have been much larger wee it not for the chip monks and squirrels. The black birds have not discovered the patch of berries or we would have been out of business. Our season lasts about two weeks of real good picking and then nature takes over and cleans up the leftovers.

We have climbing roses and some beautiful pink roses that seem to do best in the early spring and the late fall. Our red climbing roses are supposed to flower all season but do best in early June and late fall. During the hot summer the roses take a break and come to life again in September.

This spring started off with bad, cold days but plenty of rain. Nature rejoiced and the field crops flourished and everything was green. Now with the onset of hot days the corn will grow and the farmers can breathe a sigh of relief.

Our spring gives us the opportunity to have a visual feast of all the blooming flowers and a great taste to satisfy the hungry people who love strawberries.

Pear Marmalade

Pear marmalade is a favourite spread that we make  about this time every year. Actually this is early for our pear tree to be dropping its fruit and I guess it is because of the extremely dry weather.

This fruit spread is great for the breakfast on toast or just as a sweet desert. Our pears are smaller this year but the squirrels do not mind as every one I see has a pear in its mouth or is sitting on the fence eating them as only squirrels can.

We have plenty so we could care less. Our pears ripen quickly after picking so we try to use them in a proper manner. Personally I prefer pears after peaches as my favourite fruit. Our tree has grown so quickly that constant pruning is necessary to keep it in order.

This year we plan to make a dozen bottles of marmalade and we will spruce up the recipe a little for a change.

Pear Invasion

Our pear tree was planted six years ago in our back yard. It was one of those end of the year sales and I paid $7 for this crumpled, awful looking fruit tree. Devoid of leaves in October and guaranteed for a replacement if it did not flourish, I loaded it our van and brought it to our tree family. After planting I was to be disappointed because the location was unsuitable. In late spring I moved it closer to the house on the fence line. It grew and grew in one year to become quite a tree.

The second year it had so many blossoms and later fruit I had to prop it up. The fruit are large and heavy. The tree is now in it's fifth year of bearing an incredible number of fruit. I have to prop up every branch as the weight brings the branches to the ground.

Last fall I clipped seven or eight feet off the top and reduced the length of all limbs by five feet. After the slaughter of the poor tree it was a manageable size but I thought it would have a long recovery time. When we arrived home from Florida we were surprised to see this giant tree once more taking up a large portion of our side yard.

The fruit are flawless and provide all in the area with beautiful Anjou pears. The squirrels and raccoons have first dibs on the fruit and squirrels with fruit, heavier than themselves, are seen climbing to safety with their prize.

We make pear marmalade and other treats with the bounty but I like just biting into the sweet, ripe fruit for my daily snack.

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.