u/Rellimarual2

Last year, squirrels took almost all of them, and while there are fewer of the jerks around now (evil laugh), I am wondering if it still wouldn’t be better to pick them before they attract raiders of all species, which is what I typically have to do with my tomatoes. Last year, I got so mad I picked every fruit that wasn’t green, just to spite the rodents, and some of them turned out ok after allowed to ripen off the tree, to my surprise. Is there a guideline for how to tell when they can be picked?

https://preview.redd.it/oo3v4qyz8nch1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0e1c210695de556d218fdcffd1452483d0e29975

This tree is about 3 years old. I'm using some plastic spacers to get better angles on some of the scaffold limbs. I pruned the top off during the winter because it seems to be putting all its energy into the central leader, which is now again too tall (maybe 10 feet) and has a double. Would it be a good idea to prune both of those again during the summer?

(I need to weed what around the tree circle, but it's a good 4 feet in diameter, though it doesn't look it in this photo.

I heat with propane exclusively. Every summer I get emails from Dead River offering these price protection or payment plans, and I do know someone who does this and likes it. Not sure I totally trust her judgement though. It seems like doing it now would lock in fuel prices that might come down by the winter. Anyone use these plans are feel sure they offer savings?

https://preview.redd.it/doc9impkrw1h1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a1b2379e788d99b02f7cd7be754604aa4b672653

It's so funny looking, and doesn't grow much and has to be restrained by the strap from bending over into a C shape, but it really is a trooper when it comes to production. I'll have to thin dozens of fruits off and still get lots of delicious Asian pears from it.