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stick together and it will be easier to remove small amounts from the container. You can make jams and jellies from frozen fruit when cooler weather arrives.

Pears do not ripen on the tree very well. They may fall off the tree and ripen on the ground, but these pears often get infested with yellow jackets and other insects and are attractive to all kinds of wildlife. Pick pears when they are turning yellow and place them in a brown paper bag at room temperature for a few days. They will soften, ripen and turn sweeter. Once they have softened remove the bag and store in the crisper of the refrigerator to delay spoiling. Pears can be substituted for apples in almost any recipe.

Pears at the almost ripe stage where they are starting to turn yellow but still firm can be stored in a cool but above freezing , dark place for a couple of months. A few days before you want to eat them bring them to room temperature and place in a brown paper bag.

To keep grapes from being harvested by birds before you get to them, put a brown lunch bag over each cluster when the grapes are just starting to color and close with a twist tie or rubber band. This trick may not fool coons or other four footed pests. Store ripe grapes in the crisper portion of the refrigerator or at room temperature. Examine grape clusters and wash them with cool water just before eating as the clusters are good hiding places for a number of insects. Grapes can also be frozen for a delightful snack and frozen grapes can be turned into jelly or juice at a later date. You can also dry grapes in a food dehydrator and make your own raisins.

Learn more about this author, Kimberley A. Willis.
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