How can I tell when my plums are ready to pick?

Bear in mind I am in the southern hemisphere. Winter is June, July, August, and Summer is December, January, February.

How can I tell when my plums are ready to pick?
The mature fruit should be fully-colored instead of green, and firm, but slightly soft, rather than hard; in addition, they may have a VERY slight "bloom" on the skin of a white, powdery substance (this is actually a fungus, but is harmless and normal). The bloom is only able to live if there is adequate sugar present in the fruit, and that only happens when it's ripe!
Reply:Same rules as in the Northern hemisphere. If they look big enough and have changed from that hard green look to the color of the ripe ones you see in the store they are ready (tougher to tell on green gage plums but even those get a little more yellowish when ripe). If they look almost ready you could pick them and let them ripen indoors. If they fell on the ground you waited too long.
Reply:So,just cut off one,bite and if test good,pick all of them!
Reply:usually ready for picking in Jan, Feb, they usually change colour.



If its a white plum they change to a nice golden yellow when ready to pick.



If its a red plum they change to a dark purple colour.



Or



Trying them they should be ready



Enjoy....Yum

roller blades

Where in New Zealand can I have plums distilled into brandy?

My plumtrees are going to yield such a vast harvest this year that I seriously doubt anyone will eat them all.

I would love to find a distillery on the south island I can cart them off to to have them turned into brandy or slivovic or whatever.

Does anyone know where to find a place like that, or maybe what else to do with those plums?

Where in New Zealand can I have plums distilled into brandy?
Buy some wine making equipment and turn them all into Plum Wine.



Then build/purchase your own still and make brandy with some of the wine.

What are the best eyeshadow colours for Hazel eyes?

I have heard gold/copper is a good colour but it looks freakish on me (well, I think so at least!) I have very light skin and medium brown hair. I use a brown or plum coloured eyeliner so any other suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks girls!

What are the best eyeshadow colours for Hazel eyes?
Soft light, shimmery pink, or a mid tone silver would be nice, and perfect for the holidays. Purple will also bring out the green in hazel eyes.
Reply:I would probably use a copper or a brown to bring out the color in your eyes. But of course i have blue eyes! =D
Reply:I have hazel eyes and I use pink to bring out the green and a darker brown to bring out the brown. Purples will emphasize both the green and the brown. Its just about finding the exact shade of those colors that will look the best on you.
Reply:neutrals- beige/tan/browns......plum/mauve- purple range would look great too! since you have light skin, cooler tones (blues/purples/silvers) would look better than warm tones (golds/reds/pinks etc). i



brush the lid with the darker shade...and highlight the brow bone with a lighter shade- light mauve or cream, and dust a bit of shimmer on the inner ducts to make your eyes look wider. put on clear mascara to keep it simple, or for a more glam look....put on brown or dark purple (whatever dark color you're wearing on your lids) eyeliner, and lots of volumizing mascara- i like volume exact by covergirl. you can also line the bottom of your eyes with kohl/pencil eyeliner for an exotic look.
Reply:I have hazelish greenish eyes, I dont really wear a lot of make up but when I do I usually go with light colors like peach, light green, goldish-yellowish and other colors like those.
Reply:before using a eyeshadow, decide what colour you want to bring out in your eyes. because u have hazel eyes brown or green will probably suit you the most. If you want to emphasize the brown use a medium brown, and if you want green to stand out use a shimmery medium green.



be careful with dark eyeshadow on fair skin, because when applied incorrectly it can look like you have 2 bruises on your eyelids.
Reply:i have hazel eyes also, and i use a bronze-y color, kind of a darker brown and do a really light coat

it looks really good!



and i agree, gold does look freakish... i made the mistake of buying a $22 gold eyeshadow once, and it was awful



go for the dark bronze!
Reply:That depends if your hazel is more brown or more green.

I have hazel eyes but they are more green than brown. So I use purples, lights greens, sometimes oranges.

For more brown colors - bronzes, gold, brown, beiges, oranges.

Also, using mineral eyeshadow I find makes your eyes really pop.
Reply:green is good. and purple

mascara

What should I do with Purple Plums off my tree?

I'm not much of a cook, but hate to waste them. I've already given as many to the neighbors as they'll take, but still have lots left.

What should I do with Purple Plums off my tree?
Plum Jam



4 qt. plums

1 qt. water

Sugar

1. Wash, drain, cut plums in half and remove pits.

2. Add water and cook until skins are soft. Put through a rotary press.( A blender worked too)

3. Measure pulp and juice. Add 1 c. sugar for each cup of pulp.

4. Bring to a boiling point slowly, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves.

5. Boil rapidly until the mixture thickens. Stir to prevent scorching. Pour into sterilized glasses and seal. Good also when frozen, instead of sealing in ster. glasses.
Reply:Almond Plum Tart



1 cup flour



1/2 cup sugar, divided



1/3 cup butter or margarine



1/2 cup ground PLANTERS Slivered Almonds



2 Tbsp. cold water



1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened



4 oz. (about 1/2 cup) almond paste



1 egg



1/2 tsp. vanilla



1 can (17 oz.) whole purple plums in extra heavy syrup, undrained



2 tsp. cornstarch





MIX flour and 1/4 cup of the sugar in medium bowl. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in almonds. Add water; stir until dough forms a ball. Press onto bottom and up side of 9-inch tart pan. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.



PLACE cream cheese, almond paste, 2 Tbsp. of the sugar, egg and vanilla in food processor container; cover. Process until smooth. Pour into crust.



DRAIN plums, reserving liquid. Remove pits from plums. Place plums and 1 Tbsp. of the sugar in food processor container; cover. Process until smooth. Spoon over cream cheese mixture. Cut through batter with knife several times for marble effect.



BAKE at 350°F for 25 minutes. Cool. Refrigerate several hours or until chilled.



MIX cornstarch and remaining 1 Tbsp. sugar in small saucepan. Gradually add reserved plum liquid, mixing well until blended.



BRING to boil on medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil 3 minutes or until clear and thickened, stirring constantly. Serve with tart.
Reply:make jam or pie takes up alot of fruit
Reply:you don't have to cook them all you have to do is wash them and then eat them
Reply:They make great jelly/jam, maybe someone would help you make jelly/ jam. You could can them and your family could enjoy them all winter.
Reply:can them. make jelly,jam, preserves.library will book to use. it is not hard. will not cost much.
Reply:ask the neighbours...they'll know what to do
Reply:sell them.. put a little table in front of your house and say "plums for sale" and charge a few bucks for a bucket full or $1 for a small basket.. or if you don't wanna make money off of them, just put a basket full in front of house on small table and a sign that says 'free plums'

Stephenie plum readers?

are you a ranger or morelli fan and why?

Stephenie plum readers?
Both! If SHE can't pick one, I don't see why I should have to!
Reply:Tough choice, as they are both so gorgeous. Personally, I think as Stephanie already had a gorgeous boyfriend (Morelli) it was overdoing it a bit turning Ranger into a secondary love-interest, I mean, how many gorgeous men does she really need in her life?



Whether she will ever decide between them I don't know. So long as she goes on living in Plumland, where nobody ever gets old, and men never get tired of waiting, it doesn't matter, but if she ever had to live in the real world she would have to make up her mind whether she wanted to settle down with Morelli, or - well, I am not quite sure what sort of relationship she would have with Ranger if she let herself go with him, he remains something of an enigma in his intentions. What exactly does he want from her? I don't know. The choice is between safetly and uncertainty, and I don't really know what she wants.
Reply:Hey babe...Despite his dark, sexy and secretive ways, Ranger is no good for any chick!



Morelli is the guy for me, plus he comes with a big, loveable golden retriever named Bob... can't get any better than that!
Reply:Morelli - He's part of the neighborhood !!!

Ranger is just interesting because he is so mysterious.
Reply:That is sooooo hard. I really like them both but if I really had to choose it would be Ranger.

buckles

How can you tell when Sandhill Plums are ripe?

I was curious because my boyfriend wants to know and also does anyone have any good jam recipes for the plums?? Thanks

How can you tell when Sandhill Plums are ripe?
Ask a neighbor or the County Extension Service, but in general go by taste and firmness.



I am not really familiar with Sandhill Plums, being from Iowa. However they should make a good jam or butter.



A few pointers for wild plum jam -

Wash and remove any bad spots. Don't pit them before cooking them. The best/sweetest part is right next to the pit. It's a sloppy mess, but cook them slowly until soft and *then* remove the pits. If the skins are bitter, which is true with some wild plums, you'll need to put them through a colander to remove the skins.



Add sugar to taste. This will range from 1/2 to equal the volume of the pulp. Bring back to a simmer and cook to desired consistancy. I put several saucers in the freezer. I put a dolop of jam on one of them and let it cool a bit. If I can make a line through it with my finger, then it is done.



Ladle into 1/2 pint jars and seal.
Reply:SAND HILL PLUM

Prunus angustifolia

Native Range

Sand hill plum, or Chickasaw plum, is native in much of Kansas. It is the most common wild plum

in western Kansas. It is found naturally on sandy prairies where it is very effective in

stopping blowing sand. Sand hill plum is similar to American plum, both forms thickets from roots

suckers. They differ in site characteristics and plant and leaf size.

Mature Size

Sand hill plum grows to a height of 3 to 4 feet with a spread of 4 to 6 feet.

Growth Rate

It grows at about 12 to 18 inches per year.

Leaves, Stems and Fruit

Leaves are elliptical with small teeth on the edges. The 1 to 2 ? inches long leaves are slightly

folded lengthwise with the tip curled down and are located on alternate sides of the twig. Flowers

are white and form in early April before leaves appear. Fruits are bright red or orange with a whitish

film and three-quarters to one inch long. They mature in late June or July and persist to mid-August.

Twigs are rigid and often spine-tipped.

Use

Wildlife Habitat

Sand hill plum is a popular plant for use in developing wildlife habitat on sandy soils. The thorny

thicket is valuable for songbird and game bird nesting, loafing and roosting. Various other animals

also use it for loafing, bedding and escape cover. The fruit is consumed by numerous birds and

other animals.

Windbreaks

This plant may be used as the outside row of a windbreak for ground level wind protection. White

flowers are attractive and fragrant in the spring. Some people find its thicket forming habit

objectionable in windbreaks.

Water Erosion Control

Sand hill plum is very effective in stabilizing blowing soil. It is also used to stabilize stream banks

and gullies.

Human Food

The fruit is used for making wine, jam and jelly.

Adaptation

Statewide.

Soil

Sand hill plum grows naturally on sandy soils, but will perform well when planted on heavier

clay-loam soils.

Spacing

Sand hill plums are spaced 3 to 4 feet apart.

Culture

One-year-old, bare-root seedlings, 18 to 24 inches tall, are used in plantings. Sand hill plum

seedlings are not as vigorous as American plum seedlings. Control of weed and grass competition

during the first and second years is important in survival and early growth.

Pests

Insects and diseases may occasionally attack this species, but usually are not a serious problem.

Rabbits may chew on the bark, but new sprouts will form to replace injured stems.

Does plum color highlights luk gud on dark brown hair?

Yes! I have very dark hair and have done plum highlights many times. It looked the best when I had the plum along with a few blonde streaks as well. It will start looking a little reddish after a few weeks so make sure you wash your hair in cold water to prolong the color.

Does plum color highlights luk gud on dark brown hair?
the plum colour suits everyone!!!!!
Reply:yes..
Reply:I have got black hair and have plum flashes through it - and it was nice when it was done, as it was blonde on these sections beforehand. However when you are colouring over a lighter colour with a brighter / darker shade it fades fast.



So yes it will look nice however you will need to treat these sections and limit the washing of your hair or in 3 weeks it will have faded to a nasty orange / copper colour.



Hope this is helpful info for you x
Reply:yes, if you want a funky look then these are good colour kits: http://www.smartbeautyshop.com/acatalog/... (the plum kit looks good on black hair)
Reply:Gorgeous go for it,,,be a change anyway,,,
Reply:i dyed my bangs a purple-ish color last summer and it looked really cute. i have medium brown hair. i think it looks good, but it depends on your skin tone and the color of your hair etc. youll never know unless you try it. i think herbal essences has a temproary plum color you can try that washes out. if you want to try something that isnt permanent. =)
Reply:Depends on the shade of brown
Reply:I would say plum looks better in black hair but if thats what you wont then go ahead dnt let any one else opinion change your own :)
Reply:Don't put a color in you hair it will go off!
Reply:It depends what skin tone you have, if you have pale skin then you are better to have blonde or light brown rather than plum.
Reply:yep i think they will lok brill
Reply:Certainly, when light reflects off your hair, the plum/violet colour will look really nice