Apple Picking Time

At our old house, our neighbor on the other side of the fence had a sorry looking apple tree that he threatened to cut down. It was sizable tree with heavy branches that hung low on our side of the fence and leaned heavily on the 6 ft wooden privacy fence. Some years he would spray the tree for worms, other years not. I'd joke with him telling him that the tree knew which neighbor loved it more when he complained that the tree didn't seem to produce many apples on his side of the fence while on our side of the fence the apples seem grow to maturity. Our dogs, a german short hair Ginger and a golden retriever Chestnut loved the apples. Ginger especially became quite adept at jumping on hind legs to retrieve her own late afternoon snacks. Those lovely ladies have long passed and we have moved.

Here at the Garden Spot we have a lovely mature Red Delicious apple tree, so we picked apples this week.

Sundance is a creature of opportunity. He is already smacking his lips waiting for his handout. Perhaps this explains why the branches that hang over the coral fence didn't seem to bare fruit--or perhaps they did have fruit.

Picture perfect.

 On one side any way. The apples tended to be a bit wormy since we didn't spray. Next year will spray. What the worms didn't get, the birds did. There were a few perfect apples left. I need to figure out how to keep the birds out of the apple tree. I don't have enough wedding tulle to cover it like I did the little cherry tree.

As a kid on my dad's little acreage, it was my job to pick the apples--only the wind falls, mind you--, cook them up and  ream them making apple sauce to freeze. I had a horse that I loved ride everyday, but before I could go for a ride, I had to make a batch of apple sauce. As much of a chore that it was, in the cold of winter there was nothing better that apple sauce. I never could decide if I liked it better steaming hot or frozen cold.

Here is a nice specimen. Nearly perfect.

Guess who gets this one?

Even Max had to have an apple.

Of course the horse is NOT spoiled.

It was nice to pass up the apples in the grocery store yesterday. While these have to be carefully sliced to trim around the worm inside, there is nothing better than an apple right off of the tree. We are expecting our first freeze any night now. The last of the tomatoes and peppers have been picked, so it is time to let this garden go. I picked the last of the roses too. I couldn't bear to let Jack Frost ruin them. 

Week 8 of school. Mid-terms. Students are cranky and tired; I am just getting my second wind.

You all have a great week.