With a new home that has such an abundance of fruit trees, we have decided to make sure the fruit does not go to waste. hours have been spent on contemplating cider presses for the huge amount of apples we have now. The ones with the jack method appeal to us verse the normal piano screw twist method for pressing. After crunching some cost numbers & comparing the yield of juice in the many cider press styles, we will begin making a model similar to this one:
This guy has a series of pics showing his set up and in a comment on another site, he said his yield is about 20% more then he had with the old school style. the Shop press is about $130. With their coupons, we could save about $40 more and total for making this set up will be about $175-$200 with purchased hardwoods for pressing plates, mesh fruit press bags & the Food grade plastic press plates.
I'll keep ya updated with the progress & outcome once things get rolling.
We also have 2 Pear tree's on the side property line. One is about 60 feet (or more) tall. Mr.J, the Landlord said they are Bartlett's and the best pears are of course HIGH up in the tree. Looks like someone will be donning a climbers get up when the harvest time comes around.
The 2 pear tree's with Lil man for height comparison
The pears are looking great! No care of any kind has been taken for all the fruit tree's here. We are most likely the first family in over a decade to have any interest in them.
More Black Raspberries being harvested. Frog eats them as quick as I bring them in. We have yet to save enough from her hunger for saving in the freezer.
I am having PC issues with connecting the Digital video camera. We are using Roadrunner now and received a wireless router from my FIL. It seems to have erased any memory of the connection to my camera and being they are away until next week, I STILL have no videos for posting. VERY frustrating since I have things lined up for filming. With built in memory, I have to connect the two. Looks like I may end up biting the money bullet for a removable memory card to prevent this in the future.
Please accept my sincerest apologies for those looking forward to my little Homestead theme videos. I am working on rescheduling a few things for next month and hopefully this whole mess with the PC ports/software, will be fixed ASAP.
Now I must be off to get the new chicken coop started before bed.
Sweet dreams,
~Tammie
6 comments:
WOW .... looks like you've found your little piece of heaven there! Pear trees --- I'd give my eye teeth for pears - and those wonderful black raspberries. Holy fruit, Batman, you are going to be in fruit heaven this fall.
have you thought of having picking parties and donate the excess fruit to the local food bank? see if there are gleaners down there as well. in portland we have the portland fruit tree project (portlandfruit.org) that does just that, i would see if there is an organization similar to that near you, as you still get plenty for canning, etc., but also ensure that everything gets picked and used (and it's a great way to give back!)
Connie~ It truly is the dream so far. I am on cloud 9! I had no clue Pear tree's could get so big. I must chat up the neighbor owner and find out more about his it's either his grandfather or great uncle)who built this place. So many questions about the little things around here. :)
Ecogirl~ The plan is to build this press and have a big picking/cider fest amongst friends & family. get the word spread we are having it & anyone who lends a good hand in getting this all done will take home some cider of their own. PLUS apples for canning or freezing.
We now live in a very small community which we have found to have a few families I plan to "reach out" to through the schools. I am lucky to be in a position where it will not be odd for whose daughter in law I am to reach out how I hope. Not sure on this will work out, but hopefully my plans to get more families in this community with backyard gardens will come to fruit next year. there are some odd "giving away food" regulations in this county. being these are all organic apples and will most likely have spot/possible bugs, the food banks & such will not accept them. Sad really, but hopefully my little pick & smash party will bring a good bunch from the community through word of mouth.
YOU live in the land of plenty! Don't forget apple butter, pear chutney, all those good things.
Have you ever considered becoming a Master Food Preserver through your co-operative extension?? Not that you have that much time right now.
Joys!
S
Wow woman this is epic!! If we ever get out that way we should meet up and have a cup of tea and catch up.
Sharon~ As much as I love this stuff, I find that I am horrible at anything requiring a test. It is something to consider once Frog is in Kindergarten next year. I do like the idea of it.
Stephanie~ That would be grand! This place has so many cool things. Hopefully I can talk the landlord into allowing us the pleasure of getting rid of the "junk" hidden in the weeds and bushes around the perimeter. I am finding it as we explore more. Makes me sad but just shows how previous people did not see the greatness of this place. I will revive it. :)
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