Let me share for a moment so maybe you will understand. When we moved to our property in the spring a few years back I was over the moon to discover that there was a section of our fence about 15 feet long that was covered with wild blackberry bushes. I watched them like a snake stalking a small field mouse checking almost incessantly so that I could beat the birds to the harvest, and harvest it was. That first year we had blackberry pie, jam, ice cream, and so many other treats. I was in heaven! Well, it got even better the next year as I discovered that a vacant lot very close to us was also covered in the berries. We got permission to pick them and though that year there were not as many, I was still thrilled to be on the hunt for not only delicious but free food for the taking.
The following year was not a bumper crop year. There was enough around for some fresh eating but after a few trips out with my little ones whose hands came back stained mercilessly with the deep hues of berry picking, there was nothing left over, not even for a pie.
SIDE NOTE: Interestingly enough blackberries are part of the Rosaceae family. This is the same family as the rose bush. We have rose bushes outside the front of our house and I have made an interesting observation. In years when we have beautiful large roses blooming all over our rose bushes, there are bumper crops of berries. In off years for the berries, very few roses. Hmmmm.
Recipes:
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But wait... Did you know that there are medicinal values to the Blackberry as well?
15. Blackberry as Medicine
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17. EXCELLENT tutorials on medicinal preps for blackberry plants