Home Produce and the Pest

This summer we were so fortunate to harvest fruit from our trees. Some of the fruit trees came with the house when we moved in. I had a big fight on my hand to save them from the builders. They wanted to cut them down because it was easier than working around them. In the end I won and saved the fruit trees. We have an apricot, a plum and a lemon tree. Since then we planted a grape, fig and mandarin. Each year we get either abundant plums or apricots, but not together. We always have plenty of lemons all through the year.

Honestly, there were so many apricots this year that we decided we had to do something with them. I took buckets full to work for the second time this year and there is still a load to be picked.
DH and DIL spend one afternoon picking them before our DB (dear birds) get to them first. They picked 4 buckets that day. DIL spotted the bottle boiler with jars at an opportunity shop. She was determined to get it done before they left the next day.

DIL started the bottling process with DH and I as her assistants to cut the apricots in halves and remove the stones. It was fun and satisfying to see our home grown produce being preserved.

This is DIL mother's bottling process:

Fill the bottles with fruit and top up with water or sugary syrup then attach rubber seals, lids and clips. Stand the bottles in the sterilizer drum then fill it with cold water to half way up the side of the bottles. Slowly bring the water temperature up to 180'F over an hour then hold at 180'F for 30 mins. Next remove all bottles with tongs and stand to cool on an old towel and that is it. When cold, remove the clips - the vacuum will keep the lids sealed. Store in a dark cool place.

The end result is very pleasing. You can see some of the stones deliberately left in side to give it almony favors. We have already opened one bottle to try it out and it's delicious

Not only we bottled the apricots, but we had so much fruit on the tree that I even made two batches of jam as well. I still have another bucket at home and looking for more jars to make more jam in the weekend.

Next harvest will be the grapes, lettuce and rocket leaves. We have plenty of lemons all the year round. Luckily my Greek friend Sophia has lemon in her tea so I give them to her. Yes, you see it right. The pest possom! Sneaking in over the fence at night. This one was very tame so I got real close to take a picture of it.

I would like to hear your story of home produce too please. If you don't have anything from the garden you can tell us about your home brew, home baking or raising chickens for eggs etc.