[Rolfe]

It's amazing what you can find in just one hedgerow. I was out with the lurchers waiting for a few bunnies to bolt as they were harvesting. and during a lull in proceedings..... took a stroll along the hedge line to see what was about. Sloes were in abundance........and if you like a drop of sloe gin and make your own....... here's a little tip for you. When you remove the sloes from the gin.......remove the stones and squash them a bit, stir them into some melted dark chocolate and then pour out on to a shallow tray and allow to cool. Hey Presto..........chocolate liqueurs........lovely. Waste not want not.

There were also elderberries, crab apples, blackberries,.........and a tree of lovely eating apples, natures wild harvest is plentiful at times if you know where to look.

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[JoeD]

Yep bumper crop round here aswell, I can't wait to get out and pick it all.
It will be there for ages as knowone around here picks anything now.

JoeD

[ferreterni]

The top left picture is that plums or damsons? I have a tree near me called a plum tree by the locals, but the fruit is only the size of a very large grape. So not quite sure. Not ripe yet either. Plenty of Hazelnuts here too, blackberries ripening in patches. Got yourself a good harvest there though.

[JoeD]

ferreterni I believe they are sloes.

JoeD

[Rolfe]

JoeD, on Aug 30 2009, 04:00 PM, said:

ferreterni I believe they are sloes.

JoeD

Yep.........they are indeed sloes ;)

[ferreterni]

The fruit in the picture is sloes? or the tree I said about is sloes?

[Rolfe]

ferreterni, on Aug 30 2009, 04:17 PM, said:

The fruit in the picture is sloes? or the tree I said about is sloes?

Yes.........top picture is of sloes (the fruit)

[ferreterni]

Stupid question, the branches of your picture seem smooth, the bushes I have sloes on are covered in big spikes, that bloody hurt when they jab you. Are they the same fruit?

[Rolfe]

ferreterni, on Aug 30 2009, 04:22 PM, said:

Stupid question, the branches of your picture seem smooth, the bushes I have sloes on are covered in big spikes, that bloody hurt when they jab you. Are they the same fruit?

Blackthorn..........yes indeed is very spikey, these were on new shoots but the rest is indeed spikey.

[ferreterni]

Thanks, didn't want to end up poisoning myself. The other tree I said about looks like a very big sloe, but has a plummy taste to them, not sure if the would be plums or damsons. Had a plum tree yesrs ago and these are smaller, but it's a wild tree. Waiting for it to ripen either way, make mre vodka up with it.

[JoeD]

Any chance for a picture of the tree or fruit ferreterni?

JoeD

[ferreterni]

Will take some in next few days. Nothing ripe on it yet. Lot of hazel nuts around too.

[BLUCHER]

ferreterni, on Aug 30 2009, 04:45 PM, said:

Thanks, didn't want to end up poisoning myself. The other tree I said about looks like a very big sloe, but has a plummy taste to them, not sure if the would be plums or damsons. Had a plum tree yesrs ago and these are smaller, but it's a wild tree. Waiting for it to ripen either way, make mre vodka up with it.

Probably bullaces mate. :big_boss:

[chimp]

isnt it a bit early for sloes ? i dont want to miss them this year .

[J Darcy]

They look like wild plums to me mate. As it happens i have been out on the hedgerows today also, stuffed myself with wild plums and also a few greengage bushes!! Bloody lovelly and sweet they were......noticed a bumper Rowan berry harvest, and the hazel nuts are looking good too!! Its time for all the animals to pig out for there may be hunger in the coming months!!
Wild plums...they are superb!!!!

Great photos matey....JD