Fruit for Humans

I've planted fruit for humans: cherries, juneberries, and strawberries. But wildlife is eating quite a bit. The cherries are devoured the very moment they turn ripe (see below). The cherries have a smaller seed to fruit ratio compared to those from the store. I've picked a few underripe ones to try them. I didn't cover them with netting this year because there aren't that many. Also, the trees look like they're covered in jewels!

The serviceberries or juneberries (below) are also getting eaten quickly. I saw a bunny reaching up to eat berries from the lower branches. They're mild like blueberries with more seeds. I'm flirting with the idea of making muffins, but they get eaten by wildlife pretty quickly.

This has been a good year for strawberries...and pea pods. How do I get that many berries?

Netting! Even with netting, the clever animals will get some berries. I've seen birds land on top of it, which is why I use rounded bamboo stakes to keep the netting on the ground in the middle. Small critters find any tiny gap. Even ants have joined the berry party. I'm not too worried because I get the majority of them.  At the farmer's market yesterday, they were being sold for $8 a container. I understand why. There's nothing like fresh garden strawberries. 

With all this food for wildlife, the population is pretty healthy. I have mixed feelings because they eat so much of my garden. (bunny nest below) But, dang, are they cute!