The summer is the start of a fruitful summer in a number of ways. Blessings abound.
These raspberry plants have thistles that can prick the skin when reaching inward to pick ripe berries. More of the ripe ones are within the plants, in the shaded areas, than the berries that are exposed to the sun. The unripe raspberries have the resemblance of fuzz or a hairy look to them until they grow into a smooth berry. When a season of much rain, raspberries tend not to produce such a tartness; rather, they are sweeter than the standard raspberry of another time.
The red currants, tiny as they are, are ready for the pick before the birds decide to dine on them for their morning breakfast. It’s always a race, me against my hungry feathered friends. I love my birds, but I also love my currants. The birds love these. If I had enough currant plants, I’d leave one bush for them to have to themselves. I might just do that–plant more–more for my preserving, and one just for them.
I’m keeping a keen eye on the blackberries, too, just like I have been doing with the currants–all because of the birds! They can strip a plant bear in just one day.
The mulberry tree–my little girl’s favorite fruit tree–because she can easily climb it and pick the ones that are ripe while she’s standing firmly on a branch.
Gooseberries for pie…
chutney and jam.
The blue stars of Borage have bloomed, and they will continue to put forth their fruity flowers throughout summer. It is native to the Mediterranean region. It self-seeds from year to year, multiplying much. The leaves are also edible, just as the flowers can be extracted for syrups, jellies, and sugared and a decoration for cakes. Borage can be put into salads. It’s a remarkable plant with health benefits, too.
Surprisingly, Borage is a great companion plant to strawberries and tomatoes. It’s smart to have it grown in the garden because it protects other plants from moths and worms, especially tomaotes. It helps in the growth of vegetable and fruit plants considerably, and provides a better, sweeter taste for such plants. Borage more than earns its credibility.
“berry good”
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