About six weeks ago, one of our hay fields looked like this. Simply gorgeous--almost ready to cut. We were in the fields, planting like crazy. Planting late, because of a cold, endlessly rainy spring. Despite the fog that envelopes those who are planting late, planting like crazy, one thing stood out in this hayfield. The tracks. What on earth? Someone had been in our hayfield! Not just an ATV, riding along the edge, either. This someone had carefully ridden back and forth across the whole field at regular, methodic intervals. And that someone was BIG. Ruh-roh. Trouble. The only huge thing that rides back and forth across a hayfield at methodic, regular intervals leaving only tracks is a spray rig. Someone must have sprayed our hayfield. Our organic hayfield. The Farmer started calling neighboring farmers. The first one said he does all his own spraying. Not likely he would be confused about which field was his. The second farmer told us he hadn't ordered any custom spraying late...
Love the pic of all your peaches! What a good idea to spread them out, I have never thought of that. I have a bushel's worth in two boxes that are waiting to be canned, should I spread them out too so the bottom ones don't rot?
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How wonderful! So few people "put up" fruits and veggies in my neck of the woods -- Southern Cal just isn't that kind of place. But I do have a neighbor who cans wonderful applesauce every fall. :)
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ReplyDeleteLaying them out on papers prevents one mushy peach from adversely affecting its neighbor. If you have one going bad, it will spread its badness to the peaches around it (that's why we lay them out, not touching). The basement floor is cool, so that helps prolong their life. When I come home with a basket of peaches, I'll put a bunch in the fridge for eating later--but these must not be soft, mushy peaches. I'll use up the soft mushy ones right away. Then I'll can the rest in waves, as they ripen up. So YES! If you have someplace cool to spread them out, do it.
Okay, thanks so much Lona. I have found a flat surface for the contents of one of the boxes, but need to spread out the second box as well. We were gone all day yesterday so I'm just doing my first batch today. I'm sure your advice will give me a bigger yield. Thanks again!
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