The Rose Hips Can Wait

The rugosa roses along the fence have set more hips than any year so far — fat, glossy, tomato-red. It is very tempting to pick them now.

I'm waiting. The old advice is to leave them until after the first frost, which softens them and makes them sweeter. I tested it last year with two batches side by side, and the frosted ones made a noticeably rounder, less harsh tea. So: patience. The birds can have the ones at the top.