On Saturday, Chuck and I spent the afternoon picking pears. The best thing about them was it only cost us our labor. About a year ago, a friend of ours moved into a new house. He noticed the neighbors tree two doors down produced pears but they did no seem to get used. This year he has since met this neighbor so he asked if he could pick some of them. He brought them to me a couple of weeks ago. They were great pears and they made some nice canned pears along with some jam.
Our friend then told our neighbor about me and that I liked to can. He then asked if it would be OK if I came and picked the pears since they did not want them. The neighbor was glad to have someone pick and use them. Chuck and I packed up ladders and boxes and met our friend over at the house. We spent about 2 hours picking them off the tree. We also picked up the rotten ones which had already dropped from the tree.We then raked up all the leaves around the tree. We will then share some of the can goods with our friend as well as a few for his neighbor with the tree.
I had read in some books to look around for trees in the area where the fruit is dropping and does not seem to be harvested. This is a great way to get free fruit. Many times people will buy houses where fruit trees have been planted and they are not interested in doing things with the produce besides eating a few of them. They also may be elderly or disabled and cannot harvest the fruit themselves. This may be a great place to help someone as well as get some free fruit.
Here are some guidelines I use when I do this. First, I ask before harvesting. (this should be a no brainer). I arrange a time which will be convenient for all and tell them when I will be there and who will be with me. I make sure to clean up any and all fruit laying on the ground as well as leaves. I share a little of the harvest (canned goods/raw fruit) with the owner of the tree. I am always courteous and make sure to thank the owner.
I encourage you to look around your neighborhood when you are out walking and biking. You may be surprised at the number of trees that you find in the neighborhood.
Our friend then told our neighbor about me and that I liked to can. He then asked if it would be OK if I came and picked the pears since they did not want them. The neighbor was glad to have someone pick and use them. Chuck and I packed up ladders and boxes and met our friend over at the house. We spent about 2 hours picking them off the tree. We also picked up the rotten ones which had already dropped from the tree.We then raked up all the leaves around the tree. We will then share some of the can goods with our friend as well as a few for his neighbor with the tree.
I had read in some books to look around for trees in the area where the fruit is dropping and does not seem to be harvested. This is a great way to get free fruit. Many times people will buy houses where fruit trees have been planted and they are not interested in doing things with the produce besides eating a few of them. They also may be elderly or disabled and cannot harvest the fruit themselves. This may be a great place to help someone as well as get some free fruit.
Here are some guidelines I use when I do this. First, I ask before harvesting. (this should be a no brainer). I arrange a time which will be convenient for all and tell them when I will be there and who will be with me. I make sure to clean up any and all fruit laying on the ground as well as leaves. I share a little of the harvest (canned goods/raw fruit) with the owner of the tree. I am always courteous and make sure to thank the owner.
I encourage you to look around your neighborhood when you are out walking and biking. You may be surprised at the number of trees that you find in the neighborhood.
.bmp)
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