In the past when I've walked by his garden in late Spring/early Summer, I've been amazed by the variety of fancy soft fruits that he's accumulated; no doubt all the product of clever hybridisation. He has conveniently planted them all by the side of the road; within easy reach of my secateurs.
I put them all together in this bed (above), and they are now all sprouting nicely.
What I don't know is what is what, so eventually I'll have to plant them all in a row, and just gather what fruit appears. I know there are big fat Blackberries, and Yellowberries, and Whiteberries, and Raspberries, and even some very big Blackcurrants. At the moment we have just Tayberries and Redcurrants.
The only problem will be finding somewhere to put them all; there are over 20 of them. Maybe I'll have to establish a dedicated soft fruit area. More work!
29 comments:
Hahahahahaha, that is what happens when you take a walk with your secateurs and you have a green thumb.
Now you will have to have a soft fruit garden.
cheers, parsnip
I was only thinking of the delicious fruit, not where I'd plant them all. My own fault.
I'm experimenting with a blueberry bush this year. Have to grow it in a pot though because they prefer an acid soil. I've been collecting bottles of rainwater so I can keep it watered during the long, hot summer that's just around the corner...
It may mean more work initially, Cro, but oh, think of the delicious rewards ! All those wonderful pies Lady M will make. There is simply nothing better than freshly picked raspberries.
You'd get more flavour in a handful of dirt.
I might have to look into Blueberry growing; I've now got everything else, so why not.
We have Tayberries which are very similar but BIGGER. They are superb mixed with apple or rhubarb for crumbles. Most of course get eaten by me in situ.
Rachel; are you not thinking of dung beetles? They look similar but are more crunchy.
I do remember you don't like murberries so I presume that is the reason for you not having any mulberry cuttings.
I pruned a long-stalked white rose, that grows in a pot on my balcony, and planted six cuttings in a flower pot. Two of the cuttings have taken. I'm rather proud of that as it's my first success in many attempts. Greetings Maria x
We don't have here all kinds of those soft fruits, may be beacouse of the weather, too many olives here:)
Taking cuttings is very satisfying. My mother was a great gardener and she was always taking bits of plants and growing them on. I think that's where my poor behaviour comes from.
It's probably too hot and dry in summer. However, I do love olives!
I was going to start keeping secateurs in the car so when we go out and about I can 'borrow' snippings of this and that to grow cuttings from. I was thinking of flowering shrubs but you have now put the idea into my head to look out for fruiting bushes as well!
My mother never left the house without her secateurs. It was probably in the WI rule book.
I admire this type of thievery! x
Sharing in the community!
How do you know what a handful of dirt tastes like?
It has to have more flavour than a blueberry. The British public have been conned into believing that this is some kind of messiah of fruit and locally grown fruits are shunned to make way for this American invader. We have blackcurrants which are vastly superior, home grown and taste delicious.
Ha ha. These fruits will taste sweeter than any other as they were stolen! Do you think your neighbor notices the missing little slips? I always find that anything I "nick" from someone's garden grows immediately and lushly.
Ooh, what fun! Love taking cuttings, much more fun than buying plants 'ready made'. I've been known to ride around our village on my bike taking clandestine cuttings of anything I fancy ...I'm a bit partial to a bit of 'guerilla gardening' here and there too!
Some of the cuttings I 'rescued' from his bonfire pile, some of the others I actually cut. I'm sure he wouldn't have missed them.
Gardeners should always be prepared to 'share' their plants! They probably stole them from someone else in the first place.
My husband agrees with you. But they do look very pretty on a plate.
I like Blueberries, but I have to agree that Blackcurrants are far superior in taste; and probably in health giving properties too!
It is not work if it is your passion.
My favorite plants are those that were given to me from a friend's garden. I have to admit, though, that I have taken some cuttings from professional gardens.
We always name plants after the people who gave them to us.
That's the way I like to eat them - two or three for me, and one for the basket !
This new soft fruit growing adventure looks like fun. I smile to think that you carry secateurs instead of a smart phone; it seems a wise idea.
Best wishes.
I suppose I have no need to phone people when I'm out and about, but I do often need to 'snip'. Country life!
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