Dewberries ripening |
Yay! I was at the farm over the weekend and saw that the Dewberries are FINALLY ripening. It's been an odd year to say the least. I think the rains recently have helped. They aren't as big as in years past, and I'm not sure there will be enough for a berry picking party like last year, but they are definitely coming. We should be able to freeze up some more this season and I hope to experiment with dewberry jam/jelly. I think they have another week or two to be at full ripeness but I might start harvesting some this week.
I just love that at least these edibles come in by themselves every year and I don't have to do to a thing to help. No watering, no planting, no pruning, no fertilizing...it's just Mother Nature working her magic. Gotta love it!
Click HERE to learn a bit about the Dewberry.
Closeup of ripening Dewberry |
I have never heard of a Dewberry but they look delicious. They look similar to mulberries, but the foliage is very different. I love it when edible food grows wild!
ReplyDeleteIsn't wild edible food awesome? Yes, they are a more "Southern" part of the country thing. They are closely related to blackberries. They are not quite as sweet, but they are juicy and just wonderful for something that grows wild.
DeleteLets try that again...I had never heard of Dewberries either and thought is was just another name for blackberries. But after a Wiki search I see that the Dewberry trails along the ground more vine like where as the Blackberry grows on more upright canes. Dewberries are supposed to be sweeter too.
ReplyDeleteHa! Yep, I updated the post with the Wiki link that you probably read as well. I figured since people hadn't heard of them in other parts of the country, I'd add the link. And yep, they do grow right along the ground. I haven't found them to be sweeter all the time but some years they are. I think it's the weather. And they are juicier.
Deleteit's so exciting to get the first ripe fruit. can't wait to see what you make with them!
ReplyDeleteYep, it's definitely rewarding. I am thinking of some jelly/jam. Haven't ever done it, but hey, can't hurt to try, right?
DeleteYou're making me hungry! I finally found some tangerine trees! Oh, BTW, I kinda sorta blamed you for me needing fruit trees. :) See, if your pics didn't look so delicious....
ReplyDeleteLOL! Tangerines? YAY! Hey, if anyone (hubby, friends, relatives) questions why, just tell 'em you are trying to become more self sufficient. they'll just look at you weird and change the subject, ha.
DeleteThey remind me of the wild black berries we used to have up north.
ReplyDeleteVery similar. I just love that they are growing wild and when I say we have a lot, there are vines and bushes growing EVERYWHERE on the property.
DeleteI am in the South and have heard of dewberries, but I don't recall seeing them growing, ever. I am anxiously awaiting blackberries in June. Unfortunately, I will have to pay for them. But, that's okay. I will bring a bag of gold for the exchange.
ReplyDeleteIt is so fulfilling to be able to harvest wild fruit! My parents have tons of blackberry bushes close to their house and it is so worth it to fight the thorns to pick them. I have made blackberry jam a few times and then proceeded to ration it out so it lasted as long as possible. Luckily I am the only one in the house that likes it! Enjoy the dewberries!
ReplyDeleteSarah
Ours have been ripening for the last week or so, and I've harvested a few just for some quick eating. Not enough around me for anything beyond that. :) I've also been fortunate to have some of my strawberries ripening, and nothing tastes as good as home-grown strawberries, even if they aren't as big as the ones in the store!
ReplyDeleteDid you finish your dewberry harvest? And make some jam? Maybe enough to send to one your Friend's of the Farm..(hint hint)...hehehe
ReplyDelete