Friday, November 1, 2019

The old prune tree


Well, my husband's uncle gave us a grafted prune tree nearly 40 years ago. This year it has lost 2 large limbs due to age, and the amazing amount of fruit it's bearing, in spite of the fact that the branch was propped up... the prop snapped into 2 pieces! It's been such a great little tree and has had huge crops every few years, but this year it was just too much for it. I am brokenhearted. The tree can be saved but not sure how many more years it will be around. Hope to graft a new tree onto some root stock in the form of seedlings that have come up. Wish me luck!

This was in July, we didn't start picking ripe fruit until September


Prunes ripen in late August through September ~ So sweet & juicy!

Prunes cooked then spice to taste with ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg. No sugar needed!

Apple Cider pressing time!


Went to a friend's place and spent a few hours cutting and pressing apples for cider.  The apples are washed, rinsed and cut (to check for mold) before grinding and pressing. Took home 4 1/2 gallons! I'll be pasteurizing and canning most of it.