We've lived in our house for over 8 years, and soon after moving in, we planted two peach trees. One of the trees remains, and each year it produces peaches. Yet, we never get any. Even before the peaches ripen, the squirrels gleefully help themselves. Not this year! I am going to harvest peaches this year!
Did I ever tell you about the squirrel slayer? He's our across-the-street neighbor. He's the same neighbor who generously gives me access to his huge fig tree and who brought me boxes of bound-for-the-trash-can canning jars from a friend's basement. He kills squirrels in his yard with a pellet gun because they eat the pears off his pear tree and the pecans off his pecan tree. I know because of his efforts, I will get peaches this year.
About a week ago, I moved my fake snakes from the blackberries canes to the peach tree. I know they are helping because before I put them in the tree, we saw a squirrel run across the backyard with a peach. Since placing the snakes, I haven't seen a squirrel with a peach at all. I know because of my efforts, I will get peaches this year.
I also know I'm going to get peaches this year because I ate my first one this morning. It wasn't quite as ripe as it could be, but it came off the limb when I squeezed it, so I ate it.
The tree is covered with peaches, and it can't possibly ripen all of them, so in the last day or so, it has dropped probably about 15 green peaches on the ground. I really hate to see them wasted, so I did some research on green peach recipes, and while I didn't really find anything great for green peaches, I did find some recipes for green mangos. So, in the tradition of waste not, want not, I used the following recipe, but subbed green peaches for the mangos:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/cheryl-smith/green-mango-chutney-recipe/index.html
I also subbed some of my Chinese five color peppers for the jalapenos, and they gave this chutney quite a kick.
So, if you have green peaches, waste not, want not, and give this recipe a try. It cooked up beautifully and has a wonderful flavor.
Happy homesteading,
Candace
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We're getting our very first ever peaches this year; I hadn't realized about squirrels! I lose the previously planted bunch grapes every year, and it's also always a battle for the blueberries. Appreciate the tip on the fake snakes. Of course having cats helps too. We do have one squirrel in the freezer. I tell DH whenever he gets some more we'll have squirrel stew.
ReplyDeleteLeigh: If you don't live in as heavily a populated area as I do, the squirrels may not be as big an issue for you. My neighborhood is over loaded with them. I need a good farm cat for sure. Our outdoor cat is useless when it comes to hunting anything except lizards and the occassional mole. Good luck!
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