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GLAD I’M NOT A SUBSISTENCE FARMER

pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,549
in Fruit & veg
Just gone for a stroll around the policies this morning, following two nights of sharp frosts and another to come.

I have five bonny plum and damson trees, each over 15’ tall, and every single fruitlet has been frosted and turned black. 

The pear trees look a little less damaged but aren’t looking very cheerful.

The mulberry tree and walnut tree both look like someone took them on a trip to Greenland.

Thank heavens for the supermarket.
Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
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Posts

  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 9,041
    Between cats, the dog, random acts of toddler, wind, frost, drought, birds, bleedin' vine weevils and weeds I'm amazed that I manage to grow anything. One of my best plants this year is a cutting the dog took while chasing a cat though so silver linings and all that. :|
    Tradition is just peer pressure from dead people
  • GemmaJFGemmaJF Posts: 2,286
    When it comes to veg, it was just a seed and a bit of time. There are usually plenty more in a packet.

    I've personally noticed a very real reduction in quality of supermarket fruit and veg since lockdown. Plenty of totally unripe, bruised and frankly horrible offerings coming out of our local Tescos. The other local supermarkets seem to be down to dregs only. Only good news is the local farm shop has reopened, they usually do a lot better.
  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,531
    GemmaJF said:
    When it comes to veg, it was just a seed and a bit of time. There are usually plenty more in a packet.

    I've personally noticed a very real reduction in quality of supermarket fruit and veg since lockdown. Plenty of totally unripe, bruised and frankly horrible offerings coming out of our local Tescos. The other local supermarkets seem to be down to dregs only. Only good news is the local farm shop has reopened, they usually do a lot better.

    With so many more people having their shopping delivered, the SMs can get rid of all the manky produce that customers would leave behind if they were choosing for themselves.
  • GemmaJFGemmaJF Posts: 2,286
    josusa47 said:
    GemmaJF said:
    When it comes to veg, it was just a seed and a bit of time. There are usually plenty more in a packet.

    I've personally noticed a very real reduction in quality of supermarket fruit and veg since lockdown. Plenty of totally unripe, bruised and frankly horrible offerings coming out of our local Tescos. The other local supermarkets seem to be down to dregs only. Only good news is the local farm shop has reopened, they usually do a lot better.

    With so many more people having their shopping delivered, the SMs can get rid of all the manky produce that customers would leave behind if they were choosing for themselves.
    What I've seen is what my son is picking up off the shelves (he's a trained chef, so it is not his judgement!), so god knows what people are getting in home deliveries. OH should qualify for slots as vulnerable, but Tescos said he needed a 'club card' to sign up online. He is still waiting for it.
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 9,041
    josusa47 said:
    With so many more people having their shopping delivered, the SMs can get rid of all the manky produce that customers would leave behind if they were choosing for themselves.
    My wife has a relative who stacks shelves and picks shopping for deliveries. He has never cooked a meal that wasn't ready prepared in over 40 years and couldn't tell you the names of the fresh produce that he selects. He couldn't tell ripe from unripe or even if food was rotting most of the time. He's not a hugely uncommon case in his line of work. Deliveries and click and collect are literally a life saver at the moment but they definitely have their downsides.

    Tradition is just peer pressure from dead people
  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,549
    Even sub standard supermarket fruit is better than no fruit. 

    I am deeply depressed.
    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    Oh, Pansyface, don't be depressed! I know that feeling - indeed, that's why I gave up on fruit and veg - but I'm sure there will be compensations in other areas, and other years!
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 10,811
    @pansyface, that is such  shame about your fruit trees and a deep disappointment to have to wait another year.

    I have to say that I'm pleased with our SM deliveries so far and the fresh fruit and veg has all been okay. Only gripe is I still haven't got my favourite cereal from them yet but OH fortunately found it in our little local shop last week. 
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,126
    Asked a friend to buy us aubergines the other week - they could have passed themselves off as plums in an identity parade. Meanwhile the delivered leeks were akin to a weightlifter’s thighs and most of the onions had plenty of give in them. Another problem with delivered food is that the use by dates are often quite short term.
    Rutland, England
  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,549
    In six weeks’ time we’ll be heading back to winter.

    Just thought I’d say.
    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
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