Back-yard yumminess!

[yuli]

Thought I'd share some of whats growing now in my back yard...haven't had to buy any fruits at all (=
and it's nice to eat things that are in season and growing well in my area naturally.

apples:


the little animals are attacking them but I am too lazy to bring them inside...



One of the apple trees:


Redcurrants:


Red raspberries (we've had them non-stop all summer long now fall and more still coming lol):


Tomato:


White raspberries (these taste like honey!!!):


I also had a bunch of other things, like blueberries, basil, chives, parsley and sage...now that's all out of season.

Do you guys grow stuff in your yard?

[TylerDurden]

Pictures of food really belong in the culinary creations forum. Moved it there now.

[yuli]

oops sorry! I didn't notice that board, guess I just had to scroll-down, duh

[kurite]

Awesome fruit. Do you use organic pesticides or just let them grow?

[yuli]

I don't use anything on them at all, organic or not, that's why the apples have brown spots everywhere, a few have worms (yum! lol), and many of the raspberry bushes leaves have been chewed up by these crazy beetles. However the fruit production is still pretty high... (=

[goodsamaritan]

Wow exotic!

[michaelwh]

Nice photos. I also gather most fruits instead of buying them. I recently found an apple tree in a park, and gathered lots of apples, much more than what I can eat. I'm planning to make apple cider vinegar. When I cut open the apples, a black insect with pinchers often runs out (I don't know what it's called), I have to be careful not to get pinched

Has anybody made ACV before? I figure that I can just bottle fresh raw apple juice, and let it ferment all the way. Or is it more complicated?

[djr_81]

Has anybody made ACV before? I figure that I can just bottle fresh raw apple juice, and let it ferment all the way. Or is it more complicated?

The raw cider vinegar sold in the store has been cultured from a mother much like Kumbucha. You should conceivably be able to make it without in the manner you're describing but it might not work quite right. Also make sure you get regular air into the bottle or else you're going to be making cider jack.

[yuli]

on ehow.com it says to just leave it in a glass jar covered by cheesecloth and let it sit in a dark place for 3 to 6 (for full-bodied) months....
( http://www.ehow.com/how_4487982_make-apple-cider-vinegar-home.html )

never tried it but to wait that long I don't know...I think I might end up drinking it before then lol

I never have the need for much apple cider vinegar so I just buy a small bottle at a healthfood store and it lasts a long time (even if its not as cheap you only need little of it).

[michaelwh]

Thanks for the tips. I have a bottle of Bragg's ACV (with the mother), so maybe I'll try putting a few tablespoons into the fresh apple juice as an inoculant.

[djr_81]

Thanks for the tips. I have a bottle of Bragg's ACV (with the mother), so maybe I'll try putting a few tablespoons into the fresh apple juice as an inoculant.

Put the whole mother in; you don't need it in the vinegar now. yuli is right about the cheesecloth though that would be the best way to culture it as it's getting all the air it needs.