Charlottechicken Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Has anyone noticed if the blackthorn is flowering this year? I haven't been to my secret sloe picking location to check, but have seen some of what I think are blackthorn from train journeys recently, and it appears to be in bloom. Seeing as the bees have been buzzing around my flower laden plum tree I am hopeful for a good supply of sloes this year, as we didn't have any round here last year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Spooky, Cookie and I were having a chat last night and were talking about making sloe gin! I really hope there are sloes this year as like you I didn`t get to make any last year I had to BUY IT!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Ours are in flower - along with the plum and damson trees, we didn't have any fruit from them last year at all - let's hope this year is better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted April 13, 2009 Author Share Posted April 13, 2009 Same here Lesley. I had over 10lb of fruit off my little plum tree in 2007 (if I remember it was a very good year for sloes too), last year there were 5 plums on the whole tree, and the ants and wasps beat me to them This year there are so many flowers on the plum, if half of them fruit I will have to prop the branches up I really hope there are sloes this year as like you I didn`t get to make any last year I had to BUY IT!!!! Eek! What does bought sloe gin taste like? We must have a contingency for no-sloe years, I recall there were plenty of rosehips, maybe they will pickle nicely in some alcohol or other Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 I'm watching it keenly too as last year's harvest was total pants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 Last year the late April snow killed everything off. So far so good this year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miffy Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 we couldn't find any sloes last year but there is a lot of blackthorn flowering at present here, Our apple and pear trees have all got blossom out although some are further on than others. We have had a lot of frosts here this winter (unusual) I hope we dont have any more very behind with our planting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 19, 2009 Share Posted April 19, 2009 Lots of blackthorn here too, fingers crossed for a bountiful autumn. My plum tree had the blossom blasted off it by last week's rain - I just hope that the bees got a chance to pollenate it before the flowers went. Apple and crab apple trees looking good though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 Loads of hawthorn blossom this year, so hears hoping! Comments were made about the lack of sloe gin last year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted April 20, 2009 Share Posted April 20, 2009 All our apples are in blossom - I took photos yesterday.......including one of your earmarked tree Christian! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Lovely! Crab apples and clove jelly here I come! *rubs hands together* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 The hedgerows here are awash with flowering black thorn and if the weather holds for another fortnight we'll be awash with sloes in the autumn. I managed to make only one bottle last year Blackberry gin is a wonderful alternative when there aren't any sloes. Just don't make it too sweet. I picked pounds and pounds of blackberries last year and made wine as well. The first demi john has just been bottled. It's very strong and very blackberryyyyy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 Me too DA; I only managed to pick enough sloes last year to make Phil one bottle of gin, but he's nearly finished the raspberry voddy that I made him for Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 Sloe gin is divine, we have only managed one good batch over the past few years. We gave some to our neighbour who is in her late 70's and she kept leaving the empty bottle on our doorstep with a thankyou note so we would refill it and give it back, she loved it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted April 29, 2009 Author Share Posted April 29, 2009 I picked pounds and pounds of blackberries last year and made wine as well.The first demi john has just been bottled. It's very strong and very blackberryyyyy. Ooh, I would really like to get into wine making. Although it is a bit more involved than sloe gin I fear Next alcoholic beverage in the calendar of booze is elderflower champagne isn't it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
