June
The eight ume (Prunus mume) plum trees in the garden produce a great quantity of fruit. But the harvesting window is quite short. Too early, and the fruits are too small; too late and they’re already too ripe. Once they turn yellow, they’re not suitable for making umeboshi pickled plums and other products. Each year I invite friends over for the harvest, and they all go home with enough to make a year’s supply of ume wine, juice and umeboshi.
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