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Warm Wild Blackberries - There's a Hole in the Bucket!

By Debb Janes

Industry Observer with Nature As Neighbors

August 29, 2011 06:41 AM

Warm Wild Blackberries - There's a Hole in the Bucket.

Wild blackberries are a menace in our yards, but a sweet treat when they’re found growing in a nearby meadow. This weekend, in our Camas neighborhood, my husband and I discovered a large patch of vines filled with warm, wild blackberries.

We also discovered, the hard way, that there are a few things to watch out for when you pick wild blackberries. First of all, make sure you’re wearing long pants and long sleeve shirts. Those vines are covered with razor sharp thorns - we have the scratches to prove it. Ouch.

You should also be on the look out for yellow jackets. Unfortunately, reaching into a bramble of vines, I accidentally brushed up against one. Apparently, he didn’t appreciate the interruption and let me know with a quick sting. Ouch.

Finally, you should factor in some extra time for your wild blackberry adventure. We both realized that we were popping warm berries in our mouths nearly as fast as we could pick them. Fortunately, once we got our fill, there were still plenty of berries left on the vines to drop in our bucket. Yum.

Summer’s waning and the kids are heading back to school next week. In Camas, it’s time to discover the joy of warm, wild blackberries - free for the pickin’ - just watch out for the "hole in the bucket."

If you’re looking for a home in the Camas area, or directions to a good wild Blackberry patch - let’s explore your options.

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Todd Clark - Retired

eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR

Principle Broker Oregon

We have just given up on giving my youngest daughter a bucket on any kind of berry picking, it always is empty anyway.

Aug 29, 2011 06:43 AM

Ron and Alexandra Seigel

Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA

Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Debb,

I had some bushes growing when we lived in Napa. There was definitely no need for a bucket, we would put on our leather gloves and go for dessert. There is a group at the Farmers Market that makes a delicious blackberry crumble pie, they certainly have more discipline in picking their berries than we do. A

Aug 29, 2011 06:46 AM

Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Home Stager/Redesign

Debb- I can't think of anything more that brings a warm and cozy feeling of summer than picking berries then making a home made pie. Top that off with home made ice cream and you have a big winner!

Aug 29, 2011 06:55 AM

Anita Clark

Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA

Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

I love blackberries but can't plant them anymore...they take over. I like your idea...find a patch elsewhere. ;-)

Aug 29, 2011 06:58 AM

Debb Janes

Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA

Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Todd, how cute is that? They are pretty tempting when they are all warm from afternoon sunshine. We actually had enough to share with my parents once we were done. :)

A - leather gloves, flack jackets, gee, who knew berry picking was so dangerous? Ha.

Kathy - Yes, I'm going to make some sort of fruit something...had a few in my morning yogurt and meusli - but, I can do better than that!

Aug 29, 2011 07:00 AM

Ann Allen Hoover

RE/MAX Advantage South - Hoover, AL

CDPE SRES ASP e-PRO Realtor - Homes for Sale - AL

When we were kids we used to pick blackberries on my grandparent's farm property in south Alabama. She would make the most awesome blackberry cobbler!

Aug 29, 2011 07:45 AM

Dick Greenberg

New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO

Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Debb - I knew where a secret blackberry patch was when I lived in PA, and I discovered the other thing to look out for when you're picking them: bears. They like blackberries more than we do. I came nose to nose with a big one as I worked my way around a giant bush, and we scared the crap out of each other.

Aug 29, 2011 08:25 AM

Melinda (Mel) Peterson

Grants Pass, OR - Bend, OR

The Savvy Broker - ABR, CRS

The Pacific Northwest offers some of the most delicious blackberries around. And you don't have to go far to find them... they grow naturally just about anywhere. I have a plethora of vines in my backyard. And you're right Debb, it's best to have a good pair of gloves for picking. The rest is just... yummy!

Aug 29, 2011 09:14 AM

Brian L. Sirota, Esq.

Bristar Realty (Realtor/Attorney) - Orange, CA

For Solutions: (714) 501-7660

Debb, the shortest distance between the vine and the kitchen is....well.....it's a moot point, huh? I'm the say way! ;-) Brian

Aug 29, 2011 10:08 AM

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks for sharing your experience. You are making all of us consider a move to Washington.

Life is good!

Aug 29, 2011 10:47 AM

Debb Janes

Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA

Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Hi Annie, good to see you. Blackberry cobbler sounds like it might be what's for dessert tonight.

Dick - your story reminds me a of a grown up version of Robert McClowsey's book, "Blueberries for Sal." Have you blogged about it? It would make a fun read.

Mel - yes our berries are fabulous ! As are peaches from Medford, apples from Hood River and Wenatchee, and the list goes on and on...I think we're a bit biased, but, it's true. Now, shall we get started on the seafood?

Aug 29, 2011 11:15 AM

Debb Janes

Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA

Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Brian - yes, it's amazing you have any blackberries for that fabulous dessert you make. It's hard not to eat them fresh off the vine. In fact, I put some in my yogurt this morning, and they weren't nearly as tasty as when they were warm from the sunshine. Dj

Hi Roy,

That's good. I'd welcome you to our state with open arms. Anytime...:) Thanks for the flower, and I'm happy to hear life is returning to normal in Maryland.

Aug 29, 2011 11:19 AM

Rebekah Radice

Imagine WOW! Digital Marketing Agency - Burbank, CA

Social Media Marketing, Coaching & Training

Oh my goodness Debb -- picking blackberries sounds wonderful! I agree with Kathy...just thinking about it warms my heart! Now I have a craving for cobbler. Peach, blackberry..you name it (or bake it) and I'm in! ;)

Aug 29, 2011 02:47 PM

Rodney Mason, VP of Mtg Lending

Guaranteed Rate NMLS# 2611 - Atlanta, GA

AL,AR,AZ,CA,CO,FL,GA,IN,MI,MS,NC,NV,SC,TN,TX,VA,WA

Fresh blackberries are so good. They can be a challenge to pick though.

Aug 29, 2011 02:55 PM

Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366

Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA

General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Those berries look delicious Debb. Seems like a lot of dangerous work (Ouch) getting these berries, can I just go to the market instead?

Aug 29, 2011 08:39 PM

Joan Cox

House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO

Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Debb, sounds like a great afternoon adventure to pick your own berries, but careful of those yellow jackets!

Aug 30, 2011 02:04 AM

Lee & Pamela St. Peter

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices YSU Realty: (919) 645-2522 - Raleigh, NC

Making Connections to Success in Real Estate

☂ Debb, mmmmm mmmmm mmmmm! What a delightful video and perfectly picked music to go along with those beautiful warm blackberries! As usual well done my friend!
Pamela

Aug 30, 2011 03:11 AM

Debb Janes

Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA

Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

I'm really in the mood for some warm cobbler with ice cream Rebekah! One of late summer's best treats.

Rodney, no kidding. Hence the need for all the right gear before you go into the vines.

Tom, Yes, I give you permission (only you) to purchase them at a market. :)

Joan, those little buggers pack a mighty wallop huh?

Hi Pamela, it was actually an error, my camcorder wasn't in record mode for most of the shoot. I wasn't sure I could even use the video until the scene came to mind in the edit mode - "The Hole in the Bucket" was the ONLY way to salvage it. :)

Aug 30, 2011 04:04 AM

Sherri Berry

Reliant Realty, Murfreesboro - Murfreesboro, TN

Murfreesboro TN Homes & Real Estate

Great save on this video Debb it turned out really cute! I did the SAME thing last weekend filming a new subdivision. I have no idea how it happened but i obviously didn't hit the record button like I thought. So frustrating!

Sep 01, 2011 07:41 AM

Debb Janes

Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA

Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Richard, now I know why men hunt...isn't there a bit of danger in that too? Although, I don't eat meat of any kind, so I'm not sure if it would taste better if you brought in home in the back of a pickup...

I do refuse to waste video...I'm determined to find some use for it..haha.

Sherri, thanks much. I'm going to check out your new subdivision video. It's tough to see the controls in bright sun - that's for sure.

Sep 01, 2011 08:12 AM