Checking the harvest
The cherries have been a treat for the birds, though we have eaten a few. There are pears on a couple of trees – they’re not often successful. They didn’t have enough water at the right time, either. There are lots of crab apples – I might even do something with them this year, although, again, as with most things, we grow them for the wildlife.
Raspberries are growing very well, and we have enjoyed a handful.
I couldn’t understand why there were so many leaves and unripe berries on the ground. I assumed Barry had been pruning them – it’s a bit of a jungle out there - but he claimed innocence.
What a mess!
Latterly, Gilbert has been spending a long time in the garden, not coming in as swiftly as normal when he’s called. We noticed that he was licking his chops as he came indoors and couldn’t think what he had found to eat. We were a little concerned, though we were pretty sure there was not much out there to damage him. Then we caught him, expertly sucking the raspberries off the canes. They grow at just the right height for him to reach.
Nearly there!
Roxy hasn’t caught on yet, though I’m sure she will. They both like fruit.
Oh Gilbert, you clever fellow! No need to worry about berries going to waste with Gilbert on task. Our Millie pulled sugar peas from the vine (and sometimes the whole vine) and learned how to let herself in the greenhouse for cherry tomatoes. Just now the chipmunks are harvesting our strawberries. No chance for us as they don't even wait for them to fully ripen.
ReplyDeleteSugar peas and cherry tomatoes - quite the connoisseur, and how clever to learn how to access the greenhouse.
DeletePerhaps it's irritating, but how wonderful to see chipmunks helping themselves.
If I was able to grow fruit it would be for me not for the wildlife! If I had space, I would grow a couple of extra trees and leave those for birds etc while "netting" the main crops.
ReplyDeleteThe wildlife don't have it all - there's plenty - of some! - left for us!
DeleteHi there
ReplyDeletehow is it going
What a delightful glimpse into your harvest and the charming antics of your furry companions! Gilbert sneaking raspberries is both hilarious and heartwarming.
It’s wonderful to see how the garden becomes a shared space for humans, dogs, and wildlife alike. Despite some fruit setbacks, your story overflows with love, humor, and the simple joys of nature and homegrown treasures.
great post
It's only our garden in daylight hours or when we're at home. The rest of the time it belongs to Nature.
DeleteA nice harvest you're got there, though I'm guessing you need to be quicker about the berries?
ReplyDeleteYes, we're simply not fast enough!
DeleteLike you, any fruit we grow now is for the birds and other critters. Years ago I used to make jellies and jams or cook pies. No more, but we do occasionally graze.
ReplyDeleteWe have plenty of apples, so those are good to eat. The rest belongs to Mother Nature.
DeleteThe pear on the tree looks strange. I must have seen a pear on a tree before, so why do I think it looks strange?
ReplyDeleteWhat a clever Gilbert. Do raspberries have thorns?
The pear is a little misshapen, but will taste all right, if it manages to ripen.
DeleteRaspberries don't have thorns.
DeleteI can grow (and eat) the easy fruit eg pears and apples. But your raspberries and strawberries look perfect. We done!
ReplyDeleteSorry, my elderly mind is fading.
ReplyDeleteHels
The raspberry canes have been in place for a few years now. We prune them in the autumn.
DeleteThe strawberries send out runners and root themselves all over the place - no effort from us at all!
What a vivid and endearing glimpse into your garden’s fortunes and its four-legged foragers
ReplyDeleteNever a dull moment in our home!
DeleteIt's a good and early year for raspberries this year, hope you are left some for yourself!
ReplyDeleteMostly, we pick and enjoy as we pass by.
DeleteMolly visited yesterday and checked the strawberries and blueberries, she enjoyed a small treat, our raspberries are not yet ripe. Lilly loves the shade under the raspberries and can often be found resting there.
ReplyDeleteOur youngest grandsons visited yesterday and the raspberries and strawberries took a bashing.
DeleteWhat a clever dog!
ReplyDeleteLed by his stomach, like most Labradors.
DeleteOh my what luscious looking fruit. My mulberry tree is turning ripe, actually I have three doing well this year. I planted them for the birds and they are in them along with the squirrels.
ReplyDeleteMulberries! How lovely. I'm sure the birds and squirrels appreciate your generosity.
DeleteGilbert is such a clever guy. I have never heard of greengages.
ReplyDeleteGreengages are a type of plum. They're delicious.
DeleteYour garden is looking very fruitful 😊 Ours is very slow off the mark this year. Only one or two strawberries each day so we cut them in half and share them!
ReplyDeleteWe found ourselves sharing a cherry! The birds left us one or two.
DeleteYou have fruit aplenty for at least some critter to enjoy, if not often yourselves.
ReplyDeleteThere's plenty to go round, for sure.
DeleteA lovely look at all the deliciousness growing in your garden. Fun to see Jellicoe, Gilbert (such a clever boy) and Whisky :)
ReplyDeleteIf we were proper gardeners, we could grow an awful lot more, but, as I say, it's mostly for the wildlife.
Deletetodays post would have held my interest even if you wrote no words. each photo is perfect. the dogs just melt my heart. I love fruit, all of this looks good. our drought has wrecked our avocado tree, all the teeny little fruit fell off on the ground and I had to pick them up because when beau eats them, he stays up that night, pacing and throwing up. dogs can eat a few pieces of avocado but to much cause upset. we went through that will baby who used to eat any she found.
ReplyDeleteDogs just don't know where to stop, do they? Our dogs and cats like avocado, but we don't let them have free rein. The dogs in particular have no boundaries where food's concerned.
DeleteYou've got got such a variety of fruit. Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWe don't have olives and citrus fruit, though, so I envy you those.
DeleteLooks great from my corner of the world.
ReplyDeleteIt's pleasant and the grandchildren enjoy it, too.
DeleteWhat a wonderful variety of fruit you've got in your garden, Janice!
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame the apricots are falling off before they are ripe, though.
Oh, Gilbert, naughty boy! I'd no idea dogs were partial to raspberries ... or is it just him, I wonder ... xxx
I doubt there's a Labrador in the land that wouldn't enjoy some soft fruit, fresh from the bush.
DeleteLovely to see some of the fruit bearing!
ReplyDeleteIt's a good year for raspberries and apples.
DeleteI love seeing Gilbert eating the fruit. So funny. I love all the fruit you have.
ReplyDeleteHe is funny. He trots into the garden periodically for a raspberry snack.
DeleteI'm imagining Gilbert saying Yum!
ReplyDeleteOr whatever a dogs equivalent is!
Perhaps a double Woof!
All the best Jan
Waching him is better than television!
Delete*Watching*
DeleteGilbert the berry thief!
ReplyDeleteHe wears that badge with pride!
DeleteHi Janice - what a delightful looking garden ... and full of happiness for many ... so good to see - nostalgia for my earlier days - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteOne day I will produce a series of honest photographs of our garden, not carefully curated ones.
DeleteYour garden is amazing as is Gilbert. I didn't know dogs eat fruit.
ReplyDeleteDogs, well, Labradors, love fruit.
DeleteGilbert is such a delight . I hope he enjoys the fruits of his foraging.
ReplyDeleteHe does enjoy it, you may be sure.
Delete