Monika Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 I have collected a whole lot of Blackberries (so early!) from our nearby hedgerows and wanted to make a Blackberry and Apple pie, only to find that each Blackberry had a Worm crawling out of it. I have never seen this before. I hope this posting does not spoil the Blackberry Season for you, but why would this occur? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnolia Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 Our blackberries last year were delicious but this year they're really bitter. I'm putting it down to too much rain but that's a complete guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo Posted August 15, 2008 Share Posted August 15, 2008 Have been collecting blackberries for a couple of weeks now, I was told to put them in water for a while after picking, the worms drown and float out, and yes, it does work[+o(] The taste is lovely and it has nothing to do with rain as it has done nothing but chuck it down all summer in Notingham![:(] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valB Posted August 16, 2008 Share Posted August 16, 2008 I was told by an elderly relative to soak them over night with a touch of salt and then rinse well before cooking. That apparently cleans them with all nasties floating out into the water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gardengirl Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 I always soak blackberries in lightly-salted water, for about 15-20 minutes, then rinse we, but gently in case the berries are damaged. Nasties come floating out. Then it's on to making le crumble etc - yum!Jo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monika Posted August 17, 2008 Author Share Posted August 17, 2008 Thanks so much girls, why did my mother not tell me, I "chucked" them all away, but know better now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony F Dordogne Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 We grow the spineless blackberries, the cultivated type and we've been picking one bush for a month or so.The other two, which I dug up last year-end and replanted in their boxes in spring are also fruiting now and we're just off to pick some more.Where they originally grew we've got about 8 coming through so I'm only lifting 3/4, I'll let the others grow on and just put some supports round them to make sure they don't flop over - tho if they continue to spread at this rate, I'll be using them in the new hedge, make a fedge from them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berlioz Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 I've just picked a kilo or so from our 'hedge' and am now looking for Grandma's Blackberry and Apple jam recipe I have somewhere.... I will soak them in salty water as above, thanks for the tip. Is there any benefit in attempting to prune the bushes/hedge i.e. cut out stems that fruited this year leaving the long new ones for next year? Or do I just cut off anything in the way. I mention this as the bushes around the telegraph pole/drive that must have been hacked back to allow access to the drive and post box seem to have cropped really well compared to the ones in other parts of the garden. We have only been here 2 months so I'm still learning about what is where etc ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gardengirl Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 I find that if I don't cut back the brambles they tend to become a bit octopussy and pluck my clothes when passing or working nearby. I'm not sure whether that makes them better or worse croppers, but it seems to work OK.Good luck with the jam!Jo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acoustic Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 We just picked our first two kilos of the year yesterday afternoon and set off some wine last night. We're hoping it might be ready for Christmas... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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