Sloes

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Sloes
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PeteS

Joined: 06 Dec 2006
Posts: 874
Location: Hampshire

Posted: Tue Jun 09, 09 3:02 pm Post subject: Sloes
This year (unlike last year when there was naff all) I have noticed that the Blackthorn bushes around here are covered in slow berries - still hard and green of course but they are there!

stumbling goat

Joined: 20 Jan 2009
Posts: 1990

Posted: Tue Jun 09, 09 3:14 pm Post subject:
i shall check my bushes soon. last year was awful for sloes, so fingers crossed this year is more fruitful. ex

12Bore

Joined: 15 Jun 2008
Posts: 9089
Location: Paddling in the Mersey

Posted: Tue Jun 09, 09 5:51 pm Post subject:
Far more here than last year........now if I can only keep the birds off them.

lottie

Joined: 11 Aug 2005
Posts: 5059
Location: ceredigion

Posted: Tue Jun 09, 09 7:13 pm Post subject:
My plum trees have lots of baby plums this year---last year we had just 8 plums from several trees and not a sloe in the hedges.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46392
Location: yes

Posted: Tue Jun 09, 09 9:49 pm Post subject:
plenty round here good weather during blossom time same with rasps and most of the trees domestic and wild east and west yorks

Stewy

Joined: 17 Oct 2005
Posts: 1453
Location: Berkshire

Posted: Fri Aug 13, 10 6:37 pm Post subject:
I found a load of bushes not very far from me today all covered with what I believe to be either Sloes or Bullaces, any thoughts? Not being familiar with either I'm not quite sure but looking on the interweb I think they could be Sloes.........

12Bore

Joined: 15 Jun 2008
Posts: 9089
Location: Paddling in the Mersey

Posted: Fri Aug 13, 10 6:54 pm Post subject:
Yup, sloes, they seem early this year here too. Bring on the gin!

jamanda
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35093
Location: Devon

Posted: Fri Aug 13, 10 7:20 pm Post subject:
I'd say sloes too. Too forget to freeze them before popping into the gin! Destructions here if needed.

Stewy

Joined: 17 Oct 2005
Posts: 1453
Location: Berkshire

Posted: Fri Aug 13, 10 7:40 pm Post subject:
Shame I'm teetotal but I might make a couple of bottles for crimbo presents, is it possible to tell from my photos when they would be ready for picking?

OP

Joined: 28 Jul 2006
Posts: 4661
Location: Yorkshire

Posted: Fri Aug 13, 10 8:21 pm Post subject:
Isn't it a bit early for sloes to have that sort of colour though?

12Bore

Joined: 15 Jun 2008
Posts: 9089
Location: Paddling in the Mersey

Posted: Fri Aug 13, 10 8:28 pm Post subject:
That's what I meant when I said they seemed early here, they're all dusky blue, I'd have thought that was a month off yet.

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Fri Aug 13, 10 8:31 pm Post subject:

orangepippin wrote:

Isn't it a bit early for sloes to have that sort of colour though?

I'd have thought so - our wild plums are getting towards that colour now but the sloes are still a bit green. The real test is in the taste, though, if they're ripe and yet still turn your face inside out, it's a sloe.

LynneA

Joined: 25 Oct 2006
Posts: 4893
Location: London N21

Posted: Fri Aug 13, 10 8:40 pm Post subject:
Does seem the Sloes round the estate are colouring up early, unlike the brambles. Will have a look at the bushes on the way to the allotment to see how they are looking.

OP

Joined: 28 Jul 2006
Posts: 4661
Location: Yorkshire

Posted: Fri Aug 13, 10 8:42 pm Post subject:
I agree with RobR's taste test. My guess is these are damsons, possibly Farleigh from the size, since they were just in season when I visited Brogdale last week.

Stewy

Joined: 17 Oct 2005
Posts: 1453
Location: Berkshire

Posted: Fri Aug 13, 10 8:45 pm Post subject:
Just eaten one and it did indeed turn my face inside out, made me mouth go all dry......Yum...... There were thorns on the bushes too if that makes a difference?

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