A good year for the berries?

[Everything Mac]

I just watched a bit on the news saying it's been a great year for berries and wild foraging in general.
They certainly seem to be promoting the whole keeping chickens and such like...

Any way, I've a decent looking crop of haws in the back garden but not had time to go out on a forage. How is everyone else's crop this year?

Andy

 

[treadlightly]

Blackberries, rowans and elderberries are all pretty plentiful this year and I've made full use of them for some fruit schnapps that should be ready for Christmas

 

[Shewie]

Best blackcurrant and redcurrant crop for 12 years at our house

We went blackberry picking a few weeks ago and got two carrier bags full in no time, next door but one's apple tree is heaving with fruit

 

[bob_the_baker]

So far been focusing on the apples, elders and blackberries. Rowan, haw, sea buckthorn and sloes are on my hit list next. It's definitely a bumper crop this year and I won't be scratching around trying to find useful amounts, unlike last year. I need longer weekends and shorter work days....

 

[JonWinstanley]

Hi all... fairly new to the foraging thing beyond blackberries and such. What can I do with rowan and haws? All suggestions most welcome!

 

[Toddy]

It's been a brilliant year for fruits here too. I'm still picking Autumn fruiting rasps, I've run out of things to make from brambles, and I haven't started on the rosehaws yet and the apples (a late fruiting desert, a keeper) haven't been picked either. The little wild hautbois strawberries were so plentiful that I made syrup from them.
All of the wild fruits are doing really, really well. I'm looking forward to the yews

Rowans ?
I made rowan and apple jelly (think marmalade without importing any oranges )

cheers,
Toddy

 

[blacktimberwolf]

Bumper crops here. Ideal growing conditions despite (or due to )the late start .

I've had quite a few apple & blackberry crumbles already.



Rose hips


Haws.


I think these are blackthorn...

 

[daveO]

Hazels are just ripening here and I'm finding some really good size nuts this year too. I filled a pocket while out working yesterday and the cobnut tree I planted in my garden a couple of years ago has produced quite a few too.

 

[Everything Mac]

Not overly familiar with Rowan berries personally, I can identify them but that's about it.

Just like haws, I've never done anything with them. We've some in the back garden and loads at the local park but they're a bit dull looking and quite dry on the inside.... Should they be shiny and juicy?

I recall in Ray's wild food that his were dry and he just added water?

Any advice on picking/ preparing would be appreciated.

Andy

 

[bigbear]

Stunning blackberry crops by us, and very good damsons too this year. Such a change from last year when blackberries were him on the ground and we picked no damsons at all.

 

[treadlightly]

Not overly familiar with Rowan berries personally, I can identify them but that's about it.

Just like haws, I've never done anything with them. We've some in the back garden and loads at the local park but they're a bit dull looking and quite dry on the inside.... Should they be shiny and juicy?

I recall in Ray's wild food that his were dry and he just added water?

Any advice on picking/ preparing would be appreciated.

Andy

I'm making a rowan berry schnapps which is just vodka, rowans and, eventually, sugar. Google it and you get recipes.

 

[Ecoman]

I've never done anything with rosehips before. I remember my nan making stacks of rosehip jelly and I thought it was fantastic. I wouldn't min having a go at making some myself. The only rosehips I have found near me so far are great big fat ones like cherry tomatoes. The ones my nan used looked like the ones in blacktimberwolf's photo. Can I use the fat ones or am I on the hunt for a specific variety?

 

[Mick721]

Can't move for elderberries round my way. I'm thinking of using them to flavour so e suitable booze ready for Christmas.

 

[jack5319]

i picked some beautiful plums and blackberries just yesterday. some jams, chutneys and pies to be made!

 

[Greg]

I went harvesting last week...huge crops of Blackberries, sloes, wild apples, rowans but best of all loads of good sized hazels nuts....not picked the rowans yet and still a good couple batches of sloes & blackberries to get in...my Son has already made a handsome Blackberry & Wild Apple Pie and a nice fresh B & A Crumble too

 

[andybysea]

Not a single plum on our tree this year,though there are plenty of berries about.

 

[Chris68]

It was a great year for blueberries and cowberries over on this side...


DSC_1152 by noonejc, on Flickr


DSC_0055 by noonejc, on Flickr

A shot of the boys and me out foraging... a good time was had by all (it's a toy knife the little guy is carrying).

DSC_1149 by noonejc, on Flickr