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kiteless
6,334 posts
74 months
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HortonwoodThe back end of that field is sloe. Come October, I'm not sure there's enough gin in the country to cope!
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Mobile Chicane
14,238 posts
82 months
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Now's the time to get out there looking 
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Puggit
29,678 posts
118 months
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Almost! 
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FurtiveFreddy
4,512 posts
107 months
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I'd heard the sloe crop wasn't going to be good this year (presumably weather-related). Anyone got evidence to support this?
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otolith
19,780 posts
74 months
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It's looking pretty ropey on the bushes in my area. It's been a crap year for the fruit trees in my garden too.
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Puggit
29,678 posts
118 months
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Looks fine, here in Berkshire. The bush in our front hedge certainly has more fruit than last year :thumup:
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madbadger
9,186 posts
114 months
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There are a few out there. Not checked my 'best' bushes yet.
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Bill
26,757 posts
125 months
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otolith said: It's looking pretty ropey on the bushes in my area. It's been a crap year for the fruit trees in my garden too. Agreed on both counts.
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Podie
38,595 posts
145 months
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Found some 2009 vintage the other day.  Dang, it was goooooooooooooood.
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Puggit
29,678 posts
118 months
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Calamity - my squash court sized bush had a tiny amount of berries on it 
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Japveesix
1,943 posts
38 months
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FurtiveFreddy said: I'd heard the sloe crop wasn't going to be good this year (presumably weather-related). Anyone got evidence to support this? Looking genuinely terrible in the areas I normally tend to pick, though not checked everywhere yet. Found some bushes that have one or two tiny little dried up sloes on and not much else. Hopefully get some proper ones from somewhere in the next few weeks 
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Mobile Chicane
14,238 posts
82 months
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Japveesix said: FurtiveFreddy said: I'd heard the sloe crop wasn't going to be good this year (presumably weather-related). Anyone got evidence to support this? Looking genuinely terrible in the areas I normally tend to pick, though not checked everywhere yet. Found some bushes that have one or two tiny little dried up sloes on and not much else. Hopefully get some proper ones from somewhere in the next few weeks I've got a blackthorn hedge in the garden I'd normally get a Kg of sloes from. This year, there isn't a single sloe on it
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FurtiveFreddy
4,512 posts
107 months
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Mobile Chicane said: I've got a blackthorn hedge in the garden I'd normally get a Kg of sloes from. This year, there isn't a single sloe on it Blimey! We were thinking of planting some ourselves, but maybe that's not such a good idea. Took a look at our local sloe plantation today and it's not looking too bad, but they're not as good as last year. Just need to work out when the right time is to pick as I have a feeling they're going to be gone if we leave it until the first frost. 
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Puggit
29,678 posts
118 months
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Going to be some cold nights this week - could be a frost in rural areas...
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Mobile Chicane
14,238 posts
82 months
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FurtiveFreddy said: Mobile Chicane said: I've got a blackthorn hedge in the garden I'd normally get a Kg of sloes from. This year, there isn't a single sloe on it Blimey! We were thinking of planting some ourselves, but maybe that's not such a good idea. Took a look at our local sloe plantation today and it's not looking too bad, but they're not as good as last year. Just need to work out when the right time is to pick as I have a feeling they're going to be gone if we leave it until the first frost. Do plant some blackthorn in your hedge. It looks good and is impenetrable to burglars. You don't need masses of it either - mine's blended with berberis, cotoneaster and flowering currant to give contrasting colours, textures, and autumn berries.
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kiteless
6,334 posts
74 months
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That field? The location of which I posted back in April in Hortonwood?  Nothing of consequence. Even the small but usually plentiful bushes where we walk the pooch are looking bereft. It's just as well the cherries from Hortonwood are doing their stuff in i) the cherry brandy DJ and ii) have done their stuff in 2 gallons of cherry wine just bottled
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otolith
19,780 posts
74 months
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Cycled 20 miles of quiet lanes and bridleways today, keeping an eye out for sloes. I think I can find enough, but I'm going to have to cover a lot of bushes.
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FurtiveFreddy
4,512 posts
107 months
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Mobile Chicane said: Do plant some blackthorn in your hedge. It looks good and is impenetrable to burglars.
You don't need masses of it either - mine's blended with berberis, cotoneaster and flowering currant to give contrasting colours, textures, and autumn berries. Where did you get your blackthorns from and how mature were they when you planted them? I understand they're slow-growing, is that right?
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Puggit
29,678 posts
118 months
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FurtiveFreddy said: Mobile Chicane said: Do plant some blackthorn in your hedge. It looks good and is impenetrable to burglars.
You don't need masses of it either - mine's blended with berberis, cotoneaster and flowering currant to give contrasting colours, textures, and autumn berries. Where did you get your blackthorns from and how mature were they when you planted them? I understand they're slow-growing, is that right? I've got some young bushes growing in the border in front of our house (which separates us from a playground) - it's not growing like bamboo but it's not very slow either. Just had a google for some more and this site looks cheap! http://www.ashridgetrees.co.uk/Blackthorn-Sloe-Pru... (no connection etc!)
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FurtiveFreddy
4,512 posts
107 months
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Puggit said: I've got some young bushes growing in the border in front of our house (which separates us from a playground) - it's not growing like bamboo but it's not very slow either. Just had a google for some more and this site looks cheap! http://www.ashridgetrees.co.uk/Blackthorn-Sloe-Pru... (no connection etc!) We live next to a school and that's exactly what we want to do. Thanks, I think we'll be planting some this winter. Just hope they can cope our terrible soil!
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