The lengths I go to for blackberries

[MrsTerryPratchett]

Nettle stings, bramble scratches and sunburn. Ow. I don't even really eat them myself although blackberry vodka at Christmas is nice. I'm convinced there is some weird evolutionary thing where I see them hanging there and have to get them.

Why do I do this to myself?

What do you cook with the nettle seeds?

@Blackberriesandcobwebs Eat them raw sprinkled over salads etc full of antioxidants, when dry smell like cut grass /hay
I was also told they might help with hay fever (similar principle as taking local honey I presume)

I’m using this recipe for the ice cream but all blackberries instead of mixed berries.

www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/berry_ice_cream_03943/amp

Lots of minerals and can help deal with the effects of stress. The seeds still have some stingers among them so you have to run them between your fingers first before eating.

www.schoolofthewild.com/blog/nettle-seeds-good-for-adrenal-stress

I have a jar of nettle seeds to see me through the year too. I hope I have enough.

Sprinkle them on salad, porridge etc. put them in tea blends (gently crack them with a mortar and peste first). You could add them so stews like you might any herb. Just eat them.

@gardenmusic I do NOT need to plant brambles in my garden, thank you very much! They pop up everywhere. I was relaxing in the garden at the weekend and noticed some bramble branches, a good 10 feet up, arching gracefully out of one of my giant shrubs. Must have been growing undetected for months.

Not one to miss an opportunity, I dug the ladder out of the shed, and picked enough for a crumble. Extermination can wait!

I am mourning the loss of my favourite bramble patch, which was next to the school field behind our house. Previously, I could nip over the wall at weekends, but the inconsiderate sods have now put a tall wire fence up. I love blackberries, but not enough to get impaled on a fence.

I have a special nettle bucket! About the size of two sandcastle buckets! Once I've processed all the nettle seeds it makes about 1.5 ginger preserve jars

I fear there's no cure OP. My late mother actually fell into a ditch while trying to reach a nice big juicy blackberry which was just that little bit too high. Dad had to haul her out, both had a sense of humour and laughed about it. Thankfully no bones were broken, just a loss of dignity. Nice crumble though.

I was wondering how very elderly DM and DD were going to get me out when I was reaching for a particularly good-looking bunch earlier. I was close to tipping over! I suggested 999 but the embarrassment would definitely stop me.

Good news! Slugs love marigolds. They stink to me of cat piss.

What do you tend to do with them? Just eat raw or cook?

I’m missing a trick here. I thought I was doing well by wearing long trousers and long sleeves. I didn’t know we were allowed to being tools!

I eat them raw, usually with some sugar or ice cream

Can I ask a daft question about blackberries as a novice collecter? Do you need to hull them if they don't come away 'cleanly' like say raspberries. Or does it mean I'm picking them before they're ripe? Memories of making inedible blackberry jam.....

They should pull away from the plant with ease

And how big is a ginger preserve jar?

CointreauVersia
Tell me about it! I am weeding out brambles all year. A few long strands have evaded me and are growing in the middle if a huge bush - I must have had 1lb from the one or two strands. I had to stand in the middle of the bush.
Is ir me, or has it been a bumper and somewhat early year?

They should come away cleanly, nothernexposure. I think you may have peaked too soon.

Never done nettle seeds, but I always have a bucket of nettle feed stinking away behind the shed.
I just put the whole plant in, cover with water and use as plant food.

It's bigger than a jam jar , but not as big as Nutella! I could have written jam jar tbh
I think it's because I use the nice ginger jar over a jam jar it sticks in my head that way , same as my nettle bucket which can only be used for nettles (or elderberries ..... But don't tell my partner!)

They should fall into your hand with very little encouragement. @MumblesParty tongs are good for those ones juuuuuust too far away.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/blackberryjamm_47084

We have a ton of elderberries too, but no idea what to do with them.

I’m encouraging a bramble in my garden for the fruit. It’s already lethal 😂

Elderberry cordial is fab. I used to make it a lot when the kids were younger.