Frequently Asked Questions:
Wooden Crates

No. The wood used to make the crates many of our Argentine organic pears are packed in is milled from the poplar trees planted for windbreaks around the orchards. These trees are fast-growing and must be periodically cut (they regrow from the roots) in order to keep the windbreak healthy and effective. It's like pruning your roses, only bigger! The wood from the cut trees is then milled and assembled into crates locally by small, family-owned workshops.

The harvest of the wood for these boxes represent a sustainable local industry, which we are pleased to support. The wood is produced locally and minimally processed from its natural state, saving resources and energy. As if that weren't enough, the boxes are also ideal for shipping and protecting our organic pears. The openings between the slats provide great air-flow around the packed pears, helping to keep them cool and reducing the build up of ethylene gas, a natural ripening agent. The sturdy wooden boxes also allow us to stack more pears on each pallet, saving space and making our transportation more efficient.

We find these crates to be extremely useful! Here are just a few of the ways our employees have reused them around the house and garden:

• Planter boxes: line the inside of the box with sphagnum moss and fill with potting soil. Plant with your favorite flowers and herbs. The open slats will provide great drainage (be sure to put something underneath to protect your deck). They look great and will last about two years, depending on your climate.



• Recycling station: wooden crates make a nice alternative to ugly plastic bins for sorting your household recycling.



• Garden tool collector: the open slats will let wet and muddy trowels and other hand tools dry out, while keeping them organized. Shake the crate to knock the dried mud off and let it fall through the slats.



• Magazine box: need a place to keep all those National Geographics?



• Storage bin: these sturdy crates are perfect for filling with stuff and stacking in the garage or attic.



• Vegetable storage: use an emply wooden crate to store onions, potatoes or other root vegetables for eating. Just fill the crate loosely, cover with a towel, and place in a cool, dark, and moderately humid place for an instant root cellar.



• Bachelor furniture: like plastic milk crates, only cooler and better looking.