I do enjoy going through these wonderful collections of information. Thank you for sharing all your research, and for doing it in such an appealing and easy to read way.
I took particular note of your section on blackberries this time through, with a hint of nostalgia, remembering a childhood where going blackberrying was a much loved pastime (although I think far more went inside us than made it home for Mum to put in pies!). Occasionally I buy a punnet of 'blackberries' from the supermarket, but they aren't really blackberries - and it isn't the same as heading out with a bucket! I was excited to discover that there is actually a native blackberry which is less invasive, but I don't think most people can tell the difference so they get poisoned, anyway :(
Anyway, I do love reading your almanac, and refer back to the information regularly (as well as look forward to the next)!
I love getting your feedback Cate, thank you! I have a thornless blackberry that is absolutely heaving with blackberries. We harvested some yesterday, two big bowlfuls. It was hot but the sun was setting, what a lovely time and thing to do, no wonder you have lovely memories of it. Now I have to figure out how I want to preserve them.
Spraying usually happens in spring to stop the fruiting so you can normally tell what's been sprayed. If you've found a nice patch and want to double check you could call the relevant local council and find out their spraying schedule.
A couple of years ago I went blackberrying around Bungendore with a friend and there were lots of wild apple trees around too. A couple of hours later and in a lovely surprise, she came back with a warm apple and blackberry pie.
I hope you can find a blackberry patch and relive those wonderful memories!!!
I do enjoy going through these wonderful collections of information. Thank you for sharing all your research, and for doing it in such an appealing and easy to read way.
I took particular note of your section on blackberries this time through, with a hint of nostalgia, remembering a childhood where going blackberrying was a much loved pastime (although I think far more went inside us than made it home for Mum to put in pies!). Occasionally I buy a punnet of 'blackberries' from the supermarket, but they aren't really blackberries - and it isn't the same as heading out with a bucket! I was excited to discover that there is actually a native blackberry which is less invasive, but I don't think most people can tell the difference so they get poisoned, anyway :(
Anyway, I do love reading your almanac, and refer back to the information regularly (as well as look forward to the next)!
I love getting your feedback Cate, thank you! I have a thornless blackberry that is absolutely heaving with blackberries. We harvested some yesterday, two big bowlfuls. It was hot but the sun was setting, what a lovely time and thing to do, no wonder you have lovely memories of it. Now I have to figure out how I want to preserve them.
Spraying usually happens in spring to stop the fruiting so you can normally tell what's been sprayed. If you've found a nice patch and want to double check you could call the relevant local council and find out their spraying schedule.
A couple of years ago I went blackberrying around Bungendore with a friend and there were lots of wild apple trees around too. A couple of hours later and in a lovely surprise, she came back with a warm apple and blackberry pie.
I hope you can find a blackberry patch and relive those wonderful memories!!!