Help: I'm dealing with hundreds of ripe plums

Last fall I moved into an apartment with a plum tree in the front yard. I don't know anything about plants or trees or fruit, and now that summer is here there are hundreds of plums dangling off this tree. They're attracting millions of ants, as well as raccoons, possums, rats, and a few bold humans who I've caught plucking from the tree.

I guess I like plums? But there's around a week left until they all fall to the ground and become a horrifying slurry, and I'd rather avoid that.

Any suggestions?

TLDR: Have plum tree, it's bursting with plums, no idea what to do in order to avoid ant apocalypse

NoraReed,
@NoraReed@beehaw.org avatar

Local food not bombs groups might be able to use them, or at least direct you at someone who can.

Snapz,
@Snapz@beehaw.org avatar

Be advised: the methods given here to make things like wine and jam are missing crucial steps in process. They are going to taste bad at best and at worst... a lot of food borne illnesses in the future of anyone who takes advice here at face value.

Canning and wine making are very specific processes.

Hikermick,

Plum wine

Sorghum,

National center for home food preservation is a trusted resource for preserving food. All of their recipes are scientifically tested to ensure safety.

nchfp.uga.edu

There’s a bunch of plum stuff there, Google plum site:nchfp.uga.edu to get a list.

thawed_caveman,

a few bold humans who I’ve caught plucking from the tree

Let them. You're about to have more plums than you know what to do with, and yes leaving them there will get gross and attract all kinds of critters; you should encourage people to pick your plums, or pick them yourself and give them out. People are suggesting making jam and pies and such but that's a lot of additional work compared to just dumping them on your neighbors.

For picking plums, i recommend using a broomstick or curtain rod to shake each branch, all the plums fall, you pick them up. This should be done a few times a year.

ccunix,

Plum jam

  • plums
  • sugar
  • heat

That is all

yads,

Pic of the tree so we know what we're dealing with?

MagpieRhymes,
@MagpieRhymes@lemmy.world avatar

You’ve already gotten advice on preserving, but what about sharing/donating the bounty?

Some cities have public portals where you can post the location of your fruit tree and indicate people can help themselves. There’s also this webpage. And failing that, you could reach out to a local foodbank - they may be able to have volunteers come collect the fruit?

Atarian,

Make lots of plum wine. I shit you not, it’s delicious.

And so is damson wine by the way.

barsoap,

For 1kg of plums:

Base shortcrust:

  • 300 g flour
  • 200 g cold butter
  • 100 g sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 small pinch of salt

(Egg is debatable it's shortcrust, after all)

For the crumb shortcrust:

  • 150 g flour
  • 150 g cold butter
  • 80 g sugar
  • 1 small pinch of salt

Buy good butter with some actual taste from cows eating actual grass, not hyperindustrial stuff fed on nothing but soy it's worth it.

Mix both doughs individually, wrap them in cling film and chill for at least 30 minutes. A kitchen machine definitely helps with that one note there's no water (but in the butter), if you use a machine make sure to not overwork the dough. If in doubt, read up on shortcrust.

Halve and seed the plums, then roll out the base dough, laying the plums on top, cut side up. Quartering also makes sense if you prefer but don't puree them. Crumble the crumb dough over everything, bake at 180C for ~60m.

grannyweatherwax,

Mmm, make plum compote and gift a big jar to all your neighbours and jumpstart you career as the beloved neighbourhood grandma

TeaHands,
@TeaHands@lemmy.world avatar

Throw a load of them into the garden of your most hated enemy and watch them fall to the ant apocalypse instead.

mim,

Pálinka

vodnik,
@vodnik@lemmy.world avatar

We call it rakija

brezhnervous,

Attract some parrots and you will rapidly have a garden full of drunk parrots lol

108beads,

You probably have food banks in your area which would be delighted to get some!

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