Blackberries
Every summer JP makes his way to the back of our acreage for
an annual tradition: blackberry picking.
When we bought our property, all but two acres were in
cultivation. We chose to let our land return to its natural state. Over time we
watched with great delight as wild blackberry bushes began to grow and spread.
We now have about three acres of blackberries on our property.
The very first season that we picked blackberries; I
accompanied JP to the berry patch. In the hour that we were out, I picked maybe
a pint. JP on the other hand, had picked over a gallon and was going strong.
From that day forward, he was delegated to be the homestead’s main blackberry
picker.
Over the years we have had slim pickings (less than one
handful of berries,) and bounty beyond measure (eleven gallons and more on the
bushes to share with friends.) On those years that we have extra, we try to put
them up so that we never run out.
When I go to the grocery, I see 6-ounce containers of black
berries selling for $2.88- $4.59, depending on the season. When I see this, I
thank God for His gift of free berries, and renew my promise to not let them go
to waste.
We use blackberries everyday. JP loves them mixed with plain
yogurt for a healthy snack at work. Little bug enjoys them when they are made
into blackberry jam and spread on toast. We all devour them when I make them
into cobbler. (Stay tuned to tomorrow’s post for my blackberry cobbler recipe.)
So, as the snow and cold of winter surrounds our little
homestead, I will keep my mind on this delectable treat of summer. On how JP is
teaching Little Bug the skills of berry picking. On the memories we have made
picking, sorting, and preserving our blackberries each year.
Our blackberry patch has a lot that it can teach us. While is
seems to just be a briar patch, full of thorns, most of the year, if we are
patient, it will produce the sweetest, most succulent berries one could
imagine.
May we go out into the world, ready to tend those seemingly
prickly areas of our lives and the lives of those around us. May we patiently
wait for the first fruits to come on. May we enjoy the bountiful harvest of
our lives, living each day to the fullest.
Do you have a berry patch available to you? If so, what do
you do with the berries that you glean from the branches?
As an old Irish proverb says, “What will come from the briar
but the berry.”
~Annie
Yum...Blackberries! You know what sounds yummy?! Blackberry pie!
ReplyDeleteYes it does!
DeleteIt reminds of the generous offer I received from you last year. With the terrible drought our wild blackberries did not produce. You graciously offered me free range of your very AMAZING briar patch. Made my summer, I look forward to picking wild berries every year. Have done so for the past 10 years. Thank You Sarah.
ReplyDeleteDawn, you are so welcome!Any time!
DeleteHey...so how do you go about planting berry bushes? What kind of soil do they need? What kind of tending? We are going to start a garden this year. Nothing extravagant, probably star with one 4x4 or 4x6 raised garden,but I would like to plant some different berry bushes as well. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHarmony,
ReplyDeleteI believe that the website below will help you with all of your berry planting and tending questions. If you have any other questions about berry production or gardening, please feel free to ask!
http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-plant-blackberries/index.html
~Annie