Meyermike, Why grow citrus? Many years ago my then girlfriend had unlimited access to citrus at Christmas. I ate lots of it and put several seeds in a potted plant. I think every seed sprouted. I was hooked. I gave them all away. Later I raised orange trees on purpose (for the challenge). They were left out and froze. Several years ago I received an orange tree as a gift. It has produced some fruit for three years. 1. For the challenge. 2. For the envy of those who are either unable or unwilling to grow them. 3. The one that I have produces the best tasting orange that I have ever eaten (in memory). 4. I have four grown children that covet my oranges. 5. I would like to have enough to share them with my 12 grandchildren also. 6. The aroma is so intense that we cannot keep it inside the house. We keep it in the attached garage in the winter. 7. There are too many reasons to list them all.

I'm sure that Daisy can answer this for herself, but this is what she said in a prior thread: Posted by daisyduckworth (My Page) on Tue, Jul 18, 06 at 17:51 Peppermint is the preferred variety for flavouring ice cream and other desserts, confectionery, especially chocolates. Leaves may be crystallised. Delicious as an iced tea. Add leftover stems and leaves to tea or coffee. Spearmint is the preferred mint variety for traditional mint sauces to serve with lamb, peas and potatoes. Meat, fish, vegetables, salads, fruit salads, stewed pears/apples. Use in lamb dishes, jellies, with cold cuts, cheese, peas, Middle Eastern dishes. Mint Chutney 1 cup lightly packed mint leaves, 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup chopped green onions (white and pale green parts) 3 tablespoons parsley 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 clove garlic 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon curry powder 1/4 teaspoon cayenne

Are some falling or just so many that you are curious? Old trees are often called 'wild'. Seed grown years ago for ciders, juice, and baking. Even used as water when in a drought or wells dried up...or a water source became contaminated. I have some oldies and have small tart fruit. Small, having never been pruned for years. (If ever). Overgrown. They will sweeten a bit come fall but usually still on the tart side and not great as a fresh eater. Depending how ambitious you are, many things can be made from them. Cider, vinegars, baked, prepped and frozen or canned, etc. My farm was established around 1813-15 by town records, so fruit trees were most likely planted following the clearing of the fields... Might be good to try and determine the age of your trees. A pic of the whole tree and a close-up of a fruit cluster and your location. Some, if not too old, can be pruned and the fruit culled over a few years to give new life and tasty large fruit. (I've put in grafted trees over the past 20 yrs for fresh fruit.) Googling different key words like 'wild apple tree recipes' might help. As mentioned, the fruit and orchard forum on here can help determine the age of your trees. Some might say 'good for firewood', 'good for nuttin'.... i tend to ignore those comments.

juddgirl2 - I have been on vacation and am now seeing this thread. Now I am traumatized by just reading it! Try putting a freshly cut apple in your sons desk drawers. Leave them inside for a few days. This little trick was giving to us by a car dealer to remove odors from cars. My daughters cat urinated on her back seat. We removed the seat cover and shampooed it, but the smell was still slightly detected. The apple worked, although my daughter forgot about it and it attracted fruit flies! segbrown - If you have the stomach, read my story about our outdoor grill. Beware...it is heart wrenching, but the grill lives on, even though it took several hose and dishwasher cleanings to be presentable for me to cook on. I wanted to get rid of it, but DH wouldn't hear of it. Here is a link that might be useful: The grill versus the birds