Charlottechicken Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 Just back from the local park picking the elderflowers and thought I would check out the blackthorns, what a surprise I had! The boughs are weighted down with developing sloes already Looks like we may have a good crop this year, at last I must buy some cheap gin now, to stock up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 My friend has a massive damson tree in her garden and didn't get any last year! This year hers in laden with fruit Looks like a good year for the plum family! Will nip down the lane tomorrow and check for sloes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 I've been watching too Claire and it looks like a heavy harvest all round for hedgerow fruits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted June 1, 2009 Author Share Posted June 1, 2009 My friend has a massive damson tree in her garden and didn't get any last year! This year hers in laden with fruit Looks like a good year for the plum family! Yes! My plum tree is fully laden with developing plums too, a few have already come off, and I expect to lose some more this month but there will still be loads I've been watching too Claire and it looks like a heavy harvest all round for hedgerow fruits. I couldn't quite believe the elder either, there is so much blossom, can't wait for Autumn Can't wait to see what the blackberries are like (Do I have enough jam jars and bottles ) How exciting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 Yep, I think that plum trees have the 'june drop' the same way that apples do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 2, 2009 Share Posted June 2, 2009 I am going to have to thin my plums this year - haven't had to do that for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted June 2, 2009 Share Posted June 2, 2009 Not the same family I know,but I am going to be laden with Crabapples this year too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 2, 2009 Share Posted June 2, 2009 Me too Sarah I will be out hedgerowing furiously this autumn to get some jams laid by for christmas presents Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 Looking good Might make a couple of bottles with decent gin as well as the cheap stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 I spotted loads on our trip to Silverstone at the weekend. Nearly ready too. I shall be harvesting the Rowan berries this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 I'm off foraging this weekend, already made some rowan jelly with a slug of brandy in, need more elder and haven't had any sloes yet. MIGHT just try for a few more plums, think there's some left! I've still got sloes from last year in the freezer and sloe gin in the cupboard BeckyBoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 Our neighbours down the lane called me a couple of nights ago to see if I wanted any plums? I filled a tub trug! They are all in the space fridge in the outbuilding for now, until I get a chance to start more plum jam. My friend with the damson tree is desperate for me to go round and pick some. Can't wait. The elderberries are no where near ready around here yet, but the blackberries are just starting to ripen. Another couple of weeks I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 I've already picked some blackberries - 2 weeks ago in fact. Picked loads of rowan berries last night, so have frozen them until the wild apple trees hereabouts are ripe. My plums are ripening very fast, so it'll be a race to see if I can get them before the wasps. After last year's poor show in the hedgerows, this year's Christmas bags will be much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 I've already picked some blackberries - 2 weeks ago in fact. OH visited a friend in Ruislip and picked bags of blackberries from her allotment - now 'recycled' as 19 jars of spiced bramble jelly You're right Clare, will be a bumper Christmas hamper this year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 What do you add to make your bramble jelly 'spiced', Christian? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 Yes Christian - Recipe please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 (edited) Recipe?? Erm....oh yes, recipe A colander full of blackberries about this [?] many apples (maybe 8 )? a few cloves 1/2 cinnamon stick Put in a pan, place under the tap and turn the water on for 5.8 seconds. (obviously it depends on your flow, but not too much, you shouldn't see the water under the fruit). I put the cloves and cinnamon in a metal tea strainer thinggymajig to make it easier to remove. Simmer away until the fruit is soft. Strain through a jelly bag over night. This 'recipe' made 5 pints of liquid. So I added 4 long squirts of jif lemon. 1 pound (454g) of sugar to 1 pint of liquid and boil until setting point is reached. It is very gently spiced, more so from the cloves, but isn't too 'clovey' if that makes sense? Just warming. Edited August 20, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 Thanks Christian. I will remember to try that one with all the blackberries I have my eye on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 Just been to visit 'my' Sloe tee,expecting to find it dripping with fruits, but they are all up really high for some reason Can't imagine anyone else has picked the lower ones as they were not quite ripe yet. I have never found another Sloe tree in the area, & am in dread of someone looting these ones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 Can you mine it? There are masses here. So many I feel confident in leaving them as late as possible for the best flavour. Cinnamon, I'd be happy to send you some if you need them ......... or anybody else for that matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 Thanks I have actually put in a plea on Freecycle, & have had a response already, so fingers crossed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 Loads here, I checked my secret sloe places at the weekend. I asked on Freecycle for crabbies last year and got bucketloads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
