Fruit

[chris]

Hi All,

just wondering if anyone here grows any fruits, be it for themselves, the birds, or both. at present we have an apple tree, small cherry tree, plum tree, several damson trees , pear trees, raspberry canes , blackcurrant, grapes, and i did have a few strawberry plants before they got neglected...

i've noticed the pekin robins love the pears, plums, damsons, apples, cherries and strawberries athough i haven't seen any take raspberries just yet. the grape vines are still yong and haven't fruited yet, and the blackcurrant is growing in the aviary where the birds frequently eat the fruits before they are developed fully!

ofcourse the good old banana comes to mind but that isn't for everyone

i'm going to see if we can't get a patch put aside solely for growing fruits mainly for the birds, but for us too. the fruits i would include will be fairly heavy croppers that can be frozen and stored for use throughout the year saving on feding bills. particularly raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries but i daresay there are others.

might be a good idea for other members if space permits, and i can vouch for a row of raspberry canes going a long long way..... to far infact:shock: :lol:

[kenny]

hi chris
it sounds like a good idea to me .but would the stuff get chance to grow in the first place as my canaries jump on any buds that are starting to grow before they form into anything like friut..i have never had the room myself apart from an apple tree and a pear tree as the garden that didnt have bird sheds on it had kids running about on it....my father did grow most of the fruits you mention though and i help tend them .he grew gooseberries,blackcurrants strawberries ,rasberries and some brambles..but he tended to clump them to close and most of the gooseberries got mildewed before they were ripe but i reckon if they were put under some netting while they grew it would be ok..especially if you decided to get a couple of bullies

ken

[laurab]

Mmmmm...raspberries, my favorite! I don't think the birds would get a look in. :lol:

I don't have any space for fruit growing, but the next best option would be pick your own, which I intend on doing this year.

My birds wouldn't touch chopped banana, then Paul suggested I put one in whole and just cut a slit in it....they love it now! :D