[mikey9863]

After a couple of days away from the orchard, I returned to find a lot of plums on the ground. I collected them and want to know if I could still use these or would the fact that they had been on the ground for a while cause problems........Thank in advance

[HesterF]

Don't see why not - just check them carefully for bugs first. Given you'll probably be cutting them up, that should be fine,

H

[darkbrowneggs]

And watch out for half drunk, feasting wasps inside the bits the birds have pecked 

[mikey9863]

And watch out for half drunk, feasting wasps inside the bits the birds have pecked 

They are full of wasps at the moment......so I have been very careful and wearing big gloves help alot

[ellied]

We always used windfall apples when I was a kid, so I still do now I have my own orchard - the bruise always comes out pretty fast tho so they need using promptly before it spreads.  I use both plums and apples (carefully!) for chutneys etc if I can't use them immediately as fruit.

[Derby_menagerie]

Get some pigs, great use for the windfalls!

[Lesley Silvester]

Or goats.

[northfifeduckling]

check for worms and and bad bits and then make jelly 

[Greenerlife]

I found out that my dog has been scrumping these!  I found a collection of stones all around the house - think they are poisonous too for dogs, so I am now collecting them all up - I am going to be busy!

[northfifeduckling]

they probably do to dogs what they do for us - give them the runs? 

[ellied]

Another option - get a juicer and pasteurise the juice in glass bottles for year round use or stick a few litres in plastic milk bottles and freeze?