Foraging - Natures Food

Claire_Bear

I'm dying to go blackberry picking, but I've just moved house and have no idea where to find some. Think I'll have to go for a wander and hope I see some, where are the best places to look? From what I've noticed, they seem to grow all over the place. Since quite a few people seem to be having luck, I'm guessing they're going to be ripe about this time?

Gigervamp

It depends where in the UK you are. In my part of Wales, they're still small and green mostly, although there are a few that are ripe.

Are there any parks or commons near you? I'd try them first, also, wasteground and along paths and alleyways.

Claire_Bear

I'm in Middlesbrough, so hoping to find some that haven't been poisoned by the smog! There is a couple of parks around the area, also some wasteground and unused fields and things, think I'll just have a walk around and see what I can find. At least if they're not ready yet I'll know where to go

Gigervamp

If there are fields, you'll probably find some in the hedges. Don't forget to look out for sloes too.

ceridwen

Yep...just done that...picked some sloes and made some sloe gin.

I hope I'm going to like this:o I've no idea what it actually tastes like - as I dont recall anyone ever offering me any of it (urbanites as we are round here:D) - so if its not there in the shops - then I've probably not tried it yet......:o

errr....what DOES it taste like purlease?

allydowd

Just had some scrumped apple and blackberry sauce with pork.

Money_maker

Still a little early to be picking sloes unless you give them a blast in the freezer to simulate frost. Mind you, they're very big berries this year.

In Sussex, the blackberries are well underway and ready for picking.

buxtonrabbitgreen

I made a nice apple crumble with someone elses windfalls today. My oh has permission to pick them from her front garden which strangely enough is on the route from the pub

sweetserendipity

I discovered a wild greengage tree along a nearby dog-walking path when I was brambling the other day. I was sooooo excited, never seen one before!! :j But, I'm almost embarrassed to say, I then discovered that a tree just a few metres across from my house is also a wild plum tree!! Been here 3 years & just found that out!! Had noticed it flowered a lot more this year, but never in a million years did I think it was a fruit tree :doh:In my defence, I am new to this foraging business. :rotfl:

Anyway, yesterday we went brambling along the same dog-walking path & I spotted an apple tree (not crab) & some berries that looked like blueberries, but I now believe to be sloes!! :j I don't think the sloes are ripe yet, they looked purple but when I picked them they are hard &, on closer inspection, are green with a purple tinge.

I'm dying to know how your sloe gin works out, ceridwen!! Quite fancy doing the same, or maybe sloe vodka as someone else has mentioned??

Had (the foraged) blackberry crumble for pud tonight, twas delicious!!

sweetserendipity

Claire_Bear wrote: »

I'm in Middlesbrough

Hello Claire Bear, isn't there a Brambles Farm in Middlesbrough?! You never know, that could be the place to look!! :rotfl: