Where's all the Blackberrys?

[StevieBee]

Do like a blackberry and apple crumble this time of year but the former seem very thin on the ground this year (other than in shops). This the same elsewhere?

[giblet]

Given the troubles RIM are having I can't say I'm surprised

[condor]

Quite a lot round our way - still a bit early, so most are unripe.

[Mobile Chicane]

They're quite a bit 'behind' this year.

I know this since August Bank Holiday Monday was always a blackberry-fest in years gone by.

This year I found hardly any, and only those in the sunniest, most sheltered locations were ripe.

[calibrax]

StevieBee said:

blackberry and apple crumble

Now there's a headline... Could well happen to the former, but I'd say that the latter will probably survive (he says, typing this on his shiny new iPad 3...)

[D1ngd0ng]

For the first time in 5 years the blackberries which run the length of the tow path where I walk the dog are still unripe. Normally by mid August they've been plucked bare.

[Vieste]

Stupid weather is to blame.

[Baryonyx]

The bushes at the end of my street still look like they have a couple of weeks to go before they are ready for picking!

[Blown2CV]

fruit crops have been crap this year across the board. Apples, pears, raspberries, strawberries. Might be better in farms under polytunnels, but growing wild and in gardens, very poor.

[randlemarcus]

My 2012 blackberry whisky now has its first bottle hiding in the airing cupboard.

[Davel]

Went for a walk yesterday and they are ripening now!

The blackberries that is!

[Puggit]

Picked some in a colleague's (overrun) garden at lunch time - they are spot on now (Berkshire)

[Cheese Mechanic]

Blown2CV said:

fruit crops have been crap this year across the board. Apples, pears, raspberries, strawberries. Might be better in farms under polytunnels, but growing wild and in gardens, very poor.

Yep, very true. I've had little out the garden this year , very poor. All down to the appalling "summer" we have had. Farmers have got reduced yields, and they are still combining in my neck of the woods, very late.

[stackmonkey]

Blackberries very late here in Derbyshire, I'm a little down south tomorrow so will check out one of my 'locations' en route home.

[Trophybloo]

Been picking in Kent since mid-August, damsons are almost over too. On the bright side cobs are almost there.

[Gretchen]

I was picking ripe Blackberries in a Vineyard in Suffolk at the beginning of August, yet closer to home only this last week or so they seem ripe for picking.

The Damsons at the bottom of my garden are just ready this week.

[spikeyhead]

Picked some Blackberries today in Staffs. First time this year and there's not many about.

[MaxMX5]

We managed to get a tub full today, didnt look very promising at first thought. Certainly arent as many this year as there have been in previous years.

[littlegreenfairy]

Would blackberry gin work do you think? I have tonnes and need some 'thoughtful' Christmas presents.

[Puggit]

Picked a kilo this morning in West Berks. Only very sunny spots yielded results, and wasn't as easy as it should have been.

Edited to add that some of the bushes had blossom on them!

Edited by Puggit on Sunday 16th September 13:54