Italian Plum Harvest

This week, we got the ladder out and climbed up into the Italian Plum tree and picked all the plums. Rainy weather was in the forecast, so we wanted to be sure to bring all the fruit in before the rain hit and split open the crimson fruit.

Once picked, the fruit must be used in jams or tarts within a few days. Tonight after work, we washed and sorted the plums and cut them in half, removing the seeds.

One of our favorite memories of our childhoods involved our mothers making jam from the plums that grew in our yards. The fruit is such a lovely color, and the jam tastes just like fresh fruit when spread over buttered toast in the morning. It's a great way to start the day with a cup of Earl Grey tea.

Here's to a bountiful crop this year, and many more years of prolific production and harvest from a single tree. What a great investment an orchard is!