Blackberry picking

[mumofone]

I can't decide if blackberry picking is a good activity to do with my mindees or not?! Any thoughts?

[watford wizz]

Mine all love blackberry picking. We have a large allotment which is surrounded by loads of blackberries, the children love being involved in harvesting their own food. I just teach them safe garden rules ie always check with an adult, wash it before we eat it. We cannot remove all risk but can reduce it with proper teaching x

[watford wizz]

....and blackberries are very "British" x have fun xx

[AliceK]

We love picking blackberries. All the children know which ones to pick, what colour and not to pick the ones low down to the ground.

xxx

[mumofone]

We love picking blackberries. All the children know which ones to pick, what colour and not to pick the ones low down to the ground. xxx

Sorry I'm being a bit thick but why can't you pick the ones low down to the ground?

[AliceK]

Sorry I'm being a bit thick but why can't you pick the ones low down to the ground?

Because that's where dogs cock their legs (at least that's what I've always had drummed in to me as a child lol)

xx

[JCrakers]

Sorry I'm being a bit thick but why can't you pick the ones low down to the ground?

I would guess at dog wee? Maybe..im not sure :laughing:

We have picked in the past but not recently :D

[mumofone]

Ooh gross I hadn't even considered that!!!

[TinyTinker]

I also don't pick ones near road side - car exhaust! not sure if that's being too fussy tho! lol

[Kerry30]

I also don't pick ones near road side - car exhaust! not sure if that's being too fussy tho! lol

I was told blackberries suck up the car exhaust fumes thats why you shouldnt pick ones on the roadside. Never thought about not picking low down ones tho cos of dogs weeing. The best ones are normally out of reach!

[FloraDora]

We forage at our local RSPB area. The blackberries are in full swing there.
I feel a little like Fagan because our quick pickings from a keep in touch visit day has made 6lbs of jam! Lo's loved it. I will share it though!'
Back again early doors tomorrow for another picking session - just me though...fancy a blackberry and apple pie.

[Dragonfly]

Do blackberry picking every year then make crumbles with the children . Very english, very good activity, very going out of fashion because you can ""go and buy blackberries"" don't let it go out of fashion ,get them kids picking and knowing where the fruit comes from.:clapping:

[Maza]

People pay to go to 'Pick Your Own Farms', so we should make the most of freebies!

[Mouse]

We have blackberries growing in the bottom corner of our garden. I'm not sure where they came from - they weren't here when we moved in and we've never planted them!

They're in our "natural" part of the garden (ie. it's completely overgrown and wild!)

The children love exploring that part of the garden to look for bugs and pick blackberries :thumbsup:

[loocyloo]

Blackberries have completely overtaken a bush in the middle of the garden! No idea how they got there but great for us to pick :0)
We usually pick them at the park and in the woods as well, but had the best 'collection' today .. my neighbours mum had picked lots at her allotment, my neighbour didn't have room to freeze any more .. so we got a couple of pounds worth! Yum! We'll be making blackberry crumble tomorrow!

[TinyTinker]

there are loads around the edge of our park - so after playing we usually pick some to bring home :)

[NightOwl]

I try and remember to take tubs with me at this time of year when we go to park to collect the blackberries. Recently collected blackberries and added them to cupcakes we made. For those wondering where their blackberry bush came from, I think birds droppings carry the seeds :-)

[Little Dots]

I have blackberry bushes that grow every year...(.for those that have them growing in garden & want to keep them in check they grow on 2yr old canes so once berries have grown cut that cane down & next years should be growing & bare of fruit) we also have loganberries that provide us with a snack every day throughout summer. Kids pick them, taught not to eat them and wash them first. We also have figs & plums too! Definitely go pick them..,favorite past time as a child! X

[Rebecca Foster]

Blackberry picking is a must in our setting :thumbsup:

[Kirstylob]

We always pick blackberries. On the way to school and up at the Nature Reserve. Once they have been washed we eat them as snack. I have also sent them home in pots with apples we picked and a recipe for crumble. The children love it and know that they can only pick the black one and higher up ones.