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While out working in the garden my hubby cruised by on our gator and told me to hop in, he had something to show me. I reluctantly put down the hoe and climbed in, afterall there are only so many hours to be out in the garden in the mornings before it just gets too hot. I figured he was about to show me some new deer blind he was thinking about putting up somewhere or maybe a nest of something he found while bush hogging. Nope, he surprised me ladies. He knows how much I LOVE blackberries. He showed me something amazing…
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.
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.
So, you are waiting with anticipation, what did he show me??? As we drove down the fence line in the gator he showed me blossom after blossom of blackberries. Not only do they cover the fence line but they have popped up down 2 paths we use, all over the property that we pick them on and everywhere else. There are literally thousands upon thousands of tiny green berries starting and they are in such abundance that I can almost taste the juicy pie made with grandma’s special crust recipe. I believe that the berries will be early this year so I will begin my diligent watch in late June and hope for the bumper crop I see brewing so that I can make some of the amazing things I am about to share with you in this round up.
Recipes:
(click on the title for a link to recipes)
#1. First and foremost, my all time favorite is BLACKBERRY PIE -
#2. Blackberry Jam
Photo courtesy SavorySweetLife
Photo courtesy Betty Crocker
Photo: Jeff Kauck; Styling: Andrea Kuhn
Photo courtesy bbcgoodfood
Photo courtesy Martha Stewart
Photo courtesy Allrecipes
Photo courtesy Meredith Steele, In Sock Monkey Slippers
photo courtesy paleogrubs
Photo courtesy spinach tiger
Photo courtesy Photo serena bakessimplyfromscratch
Photo courtesy inspired by charm
Photo courtesy thelazydaisykitchen
But wait... Did you know that there are medicinal values to the Blackberry as well?
14. Here is a list of some herbal uses
15. Blackberry as Medicine
16. Even more Medicinal Blackberry
17. EXCELLENT tutorials on medicinal preps for blackberry plants
15. Blackberry as Medicine
16. Even more Medicinal Blackberry
17. EXCELLENT tutorials on medicinal preps for blackberry plants
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and get some blackberries so you can get started!!!
