To still go blackberrying?!

[rainbowsandsmiles]

I know I'm not BU 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

I'm amazed people have blackberries already! I have only seen the odd one - they will take another 3 weeks to peak. Last year's were the earliest I've seen, they were ready in late July! My jam jars are ready

They're just ripening here, but they look to be big and plentiful.

I think they're early, as is everything else this year. Summer started early, it's been hot and dry, I think plants are going to finish early. The Heather is out early, my horses are starting to moult and the leaves are slightly changing colour. It's a bit sad.

Haven't been for years. I remember at primary school there were tonnes of blackberries growing in the school field boundary hedging.

Playtime's in July consisted of picking and scoffing as many as possible.

I won't buy them out of principle. It actually makes me angry that they're sold which is unreasonable.

I make the kids get up and dressed early so we can get them before all the dog walkers.

I won't buy them out of principle. It actually makes me angry that they're sold which is unreasonable.

Lol, I'm the same. I see a punnet for 2 quid or whatever in the local supermarket and it takes all my effort not to shout "2 pounds? For that pathetic punnet?! They're free practically on your DOORSTEP!"

We’re holidaying in Wales and DP and DS have been picking and munching away. Never U getting free food!

I made some brilliant blackberry and mulberry muffins today - the DC were so impressed it was actually a bit backhandedly insulting towards my usual attempts at baking 😂

Of course, it’s Crumble Season. Hallowe’en next, then Christmas!

Went last week and made jam, then went again today with DH after dinner to get some for dessert

My mum used to put us all in waterproofs and equip us with sandwich boxes and off we went into the brambles! Apple and blackberry crumble was/ is the go-to Christmas pudding in "our" house.

Planning to go and pick more tomorrow - they're almost past it here already!

I get angry that they exist in shops as well! When they're EVERYWHERE. Agree that this is an amazing year but they've just started down here in Cornwall. Seen the biggest one ever out last Friday with dd and husband picking. Also found some trees heaving with wild rosehips, anyone got any recommendations as to what I can do with them?!

I always want to pick wild rosehips too. Don't have enough knowledge to make sure I go for the right thing though!

I walked down the canal today and there were blackberries, hazel nuts, elderberries and plums all nearly ready then there were lots of pine cones (great for starting a fire) as well. The walk the other way tonnes of blackberries, walnuts and wild damsons....can't wait

I forgot there were rosehips too

Blackberrying is a compulsory joy. We moved this year and I haven't found out yet where the good blackberries are 😔

I'm amazed people have blackberries already! I have only seen the odd one - they will take another 3 weeks to peak. Last year's were the earliest I've seen, they were ready in late July!

Whereabouts in the country are you?
My blackberries are nearly all gone now They were ready at the end of July this year - I assumed because it has been such a long hot Summer that they were ready early.

OP You are absolutely NBU to go Blackberrying. I don't even like them that much but feel compelled to pick them when I see them - its just what my parents encouraged us to do as kids, and it sticks with you.

What is the best way to clean them before using? Is it soaking or rinsing in water? Don't they go mushy? Or stick them straight in the freezer (on baking trays to start, then bag). Less mushy and would kill bugs....but their little bug bodies are still in there iyswim

The wilderness that is my back garden is smothered with more blackberries than I can fit in my freezer - I must pick some when I get home from work tonight.

Backforgood I am in North Wales. Some things ARE early here this year... found the first huge spider of the season in the kitchen last night we had to use a bowl not a glass to take it out it was so big!

We go blackberry picking each year but they are not quite ready yet here.
Do people soak them? Last time I soaked them and lots of bugs floated out and my DH refused to eat them!

It's probably about the only thing I miss since I moved abroad! Yanbu

I love doing this. Just introduced my dd to it.

Please don’t moan about the supermarket blackberries. I eat them all year round on my porridge! My own blackberries aren’t even nearly ripe yet. And loads of people live in concrete blocks with no garden or wild brambles nearby.

I was out doing this last night because lots of blackberries are in otherwise inaccessible areas in the place where I kayak. I may have a small collection of jam to show for the ones that made it home rather than just my mouth

Isle of Wight here and I can't move for people brambling! Not picking ourselves in any great quantity as we're on holiday so limited jam making and baking facilities!

It's one of the best joys in life! We have a few jars of homemade blackberry jam in the fridge right now.