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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To still go blackberrying?!

114 replies

rainbowsandsmiles · 13/08/2018 21:56

I know I'm not BU Grin but does anyone else still do this? They're in season now and it's one of our favourite family pastimes that we all enjoy doing! Kids too. Went today, juicily ripe. Might make a crumble tomorrow with what we've got left and not scoffed already

OP posts:
RedHelenB · 13/08/2018 22:11

We love blackberyring make enough for our winter supply of BlackBerry and all be crumble!

Nottheduchessofcambridge · 13/08/2018 22:11

Have you seen the difference in size between the ones in the shop and the ones on the bush? What the hell are they putting in the berries to make them gigantaberries? They don’t even taste the same!

Peoplemaynoticeus · 13/08/2018 22:12

We went today, I'm going to make lots of bramble jelly Grin

To still go blackberrying?!
perhapstomorrow · 13/08/2018 22:13

Went the other day and made 6 large jars of jam. Will go again this week and make some crumbles. This is the first summer in our new house and have also discovered we have two eating apple trees and one cooker. Need to get making a few pies!!

Ollivander84 · 13/08/2018 22:15

Loads here. I pick and eat them while out riding, horse has a cheeky snack and I get to reach the good ones Grin

stargirl1701 · 13/08/2018 22:16

Not ripe yet here in Northern Scotland.

Thomasinaa · 13/08/2018 22:16

Not many near us. But masses of lovely cherries this year.

Heratnumber7 · 13/08/2018 22:17

Every year. Sloes too, for the gin. And there are quite a few wild plum trees round our way (or damsons).

perhapstomorrow · 13/08/2018 22:18

Does anyone know when is best to pick sloes? Discovered some whilst blackberry picking but they aren't so abundant. I fancy making sloe Gin.

GremlinDolphin1 · 13/08/2018 22:18

Home picked blackberry and Apple on the go here! I love blackberry picking. X

Brahms3rdracket · 13/08/2018 22:19

We've made 4 large jars of jam and a fabulous blackberry crumble cake so far this season. The kids love popping out locally to pick them.

I also make half a dozen or so bottles of elderflower cordial each year. Saves a fortune and is so much nicer than shop bought stuff.

Mrsramsayscat · 13/08/2018 22:22

I always do it.

Orlandointhewilderness · 13/08/2018 22:22

Not ripe here yet! But yes - bramblejam!

Sloes need leaving for gin! oct/ Nov.

scrivette · 13/08/2018 22:22

My Mum makes wonderful blackberry jam so she picks them. We tend to just pick and eat rather than take them home.

I am always astounded that people PAY for blackberries from shops!

ThriceThriceThice · 13/08/2018 22:24

Ohwtfhappened
Definitely this summer. I always remembered blackberries being ripe mid/late Aug to September, but we had good ones here in July and they are mostly gone now.

OhTheRoses · 13/08/2018 22:25

Very early here. They are all but done. Apples are early too but not quite ready yet. Raspberries and damsons poor. Eating apples good, cookers not so. Hazlenut tree is heaving - incredible amount. Chestnut quite poor. Tomato glut about to commence.

BarbaraofSevillle · 13/08/2018 22:27

Having tried blackberry picking, I'm not surprised people pay for them, given how much you get scratched and how long it takes to get a decent amount.

I need to go out and get some, they're really good round here this year and there's loads of them. I think the good summer has brought them on early so that could possibly apply to sloes too. I saw some yesterday that looked really good.

Babdoc · 13/08/2018 22:28

Still not ripe in my garden (Scotland). But I had masses of flowers on my brambles, so it should be a good crop this year if we can get some more sun before the winter frosts start. And mine are a thornless variety, so no jabbed and bleeding fingers while picking!

Lollypop27 · 13/08/2018 22:30

I live in the countryside so they are in abundance here. We have bags in the freezer for jams and crumbles.

WhoWants2Know · 13/08/2018 22:30

Of course you should! Rude not to.

beela · 13/08/2018 22:31

Blackberries are very fat and juicy around here this year! But hardly anyone seems to be picking them Confused

Sloes should traditionally be left until after the first frost for sloe gin. Or, make it around Halloween and it will be ready for Christmas (and if the first frost hasn't happened then just pop the Sloes in the freezer overnight to soften the skin).

user1468263541 · 13/08/2018 22:31

Are there many wasps around them? Used to go as a kid and think mine would love it. But my fear of wasps is embarrassingly strong, so would probably end up dementedly flapping my arms the whole time and ruin it for everyone Blush

InBlackwaterWoods · 13/08/2018 22:31

We do! Last month we picked wild raspberries, yummy! And every autumn, we go brambling! Bit early for us yet, they'll be ready in the next month! The kids love it, we make crumbles and freeze some too.
We also pick wild blaeberries, they're not ready yet either tho!
We know the best spots! Also often find wild rhubarb and mushrooms, tho you need to be very careful with those!
Love nature's bounty!

glamorousgrandmother · 13/08/2018 22:33

Derbyshire here too - big fat juicy berries. Elderberries are ripe too. Sloes are beginning to ripen but seem small.

I don't eat berries off the bush having seen the creepy crawlies come out of them when washed.

glamorousgrandmother · 13/08/2018 22:34

I've seen wild bilberries on the moors already but had two dogs with me so couldn't stop to pick them.