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Tips and tricks – finding and harvesting nature's resources

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Tips and tricks – finding and harvesting nature's resources

Sun 1-Aug-10
10:55 am

Toffeeapple

North Bucks

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Wow, that looks good, I'll just make some real custard... i_am_hungry I take it that SWMBO has survived the night too? big_laugh

I'll try that again!

Sun 1-Aug-10
12:39 pm

bobbyW

East Suffolk almost near the sea and the Castle on the Hill.

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Yes, no side effects.

"NEVER RIDE FASTER THAN YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL CAN FLY"
Your future self is watching you right now through memories

Sun 1-Aug-10
12:51 pm

Toffeeapple

North Bucks

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Jolly good!

I'll try that again!

Sun 1-Aug-10
5:48 pm

brightspark

Wilts

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Great-looking pie, Bob, wouldn't mind some myself - I don't mind custard or ice cream!! big_laugh

Women are like tea bags. . .

you never know how strong they are

until they're in hot water.

- Eleanor Roosevelt -

Sun 1-Aug-10
7:33 pm

bobbyW

East Suffolk almost near the sea and the Castle on the Hill.

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Today I carefully prised the lid off and added a little more castor sugar, then left it to work it's way into the fruit. After a few hours I tried a sliver. Well it's a "taste to die for" so sorry, none left to share. smug

Now, not wishing to hog the thread, I'll ask just one more question if you don't mind.
This evening a blue berry caught my eye as a potential freebie, it was hidden above the blackberry hedge. Not sure if edible or not, but definately on woody bush.
The picture is not one of my best but the dog was in a rush.

The fruit is no bigger than a 1p coin at the moment, I don't think the branch was thorny. Any ideas?

"NEVER RIDE FASTER THAN YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL CAN FLY"
Your future self is watching you right now through memories

Sun 1-Aug-10
7:46 pm

Toffeeapple

North Bucks

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That looks very much like Blackthorn otherwise known as Sloe, from where we get the delicious Sloe Gin. If you could get a closer picture I'd be more certain and there should be some thorns somewhere so be careful when harvesting. I'll just have a Google to see if they can be confused with something similar but nasty....back in a mo.

I'll try that again!

Sun 1-Aug-10
7:56 pm

Toffeeapple

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I can't find anything other than Laurel that might confuse but the leaves are totally different. See here for images of Sloes.

I'll try that again!

Sun 1-Aug-10
9:58 pm

brightspark

Wilts

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I would have to agree with you TA, that's exactly what it looks like - and it looks like a good supply, too.

Also found a Q&A about sloe recipes here, which might be worth a try if there is a plentiful supply of fruit on this tree.

Women are like tea bags. . .

you never know how strong they are

until they're in hot water.

- Eleanor Roosevelt -

Mon 2-Aug-10
9:28 am

bobbyW

East Suffolk almost near the sea and the Castle on the Hill.

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I've found the thorns so now we know thanks, no shortage of them either, I went the other way on the field this morning and discovered another two bushes of them.

"NEVER RIDE FASTER THAN YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL CAN FLY"
Your future self is watching you right now through memories

Mon 2-Aug-10
9:44 am

Toffeeapple

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You lucky man! Our council has chopped a lot of ours so I'm not hopeful of getting much of a harvest this year.

I'll try that again!

Mon 2-Aug-10
5:13 pm

Danny

Scarborough, England

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Great find, Bob. Don't tell a soul !!

When Fiona was still doing her painting and decorating job, she used to keep an eye out for blossom in May as she drove to and from her various jobs. very handy for knowing where to return to in autumn.

Last year was a bumper one for wild plums, damsons and sloes in these parts. Let's hope the good summer has a positive impact, rather than resulting in a poor crop. Does anybody know what opinion is generally on this aspect?

Never knowingly underfed

Mon 2-Aug-10
5:55 pm

shelley

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just got back to this thread; the yellow and the reddy- yellow things that bob found are both called mirabelles here in the south of France

I stone them with my cherry/olive stoner and it works a treat; some of the bigger ones are diff to set up but all stone very easily

The blue things def look like sloes; ugh; but my daughter likes to eat them raw off the tree ; she must have a cast iron stomach!!!

It is a bumper year for plums here so I am having a great time!

Mon 2-Aug-10
9:16 pm

bobbyW

East Suffolk almost near the sea and the Castle on the Hill.

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There's yard and yards of them¦¦does this mean to make any use of them, I have to take up drinking pint ?

"NEVER RIDE FASTER THAN YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL CAN FLY"
Your future self is watching you right now through memories

Mon 2-Aug-10
11:24 pm

brightspark

Wilts

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Or, Bob, look at my post no.53 - and have a look at those recipes - some of them may tempt your palate!

smile

Women are like tea bags. . .

you never know how strong they are

until they're in hot water.

- Eleanor Roosevelt -

Tue 3-Aug-10
1:23 pm

Shereen

Near Belfast, Northen Ireland

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I love the look of your tart, bobbyW - it's a great colour inside.

I've not found a sloe bush since the one on the country road near Mum's was rooted out to build a new bungalow 🙁

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