Apples in a tree
Guidance

For the birds

We have 3 apple trees. Teresa and I like the idea of eating apples from our own trees. Last summer I realized that we grow apples mostly for the birds, who know exactly when they are ready to eat, and usually get to them before we do. With that realization much of the anxiety, frustration and disappointment that I often felt at the end of a growing season disappeared.

But something has happened this season. The apples on the trees are ripening nicely. They are almost ready to pick–I’ve sampled a couple already. Tasty. Juicy. Sweet. And so far no birds have come to eat them up.

It’s a mystery.

Is there a best time of the day to pick ripe apples?