Dunkield Posted August 17, 2015 Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 Was out walking at the weekend and saw loads in differing states of readiness, but plenty of them Apologies for the rubbish picture quality and further on far more advanced Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teal Posted August 17, 2015 Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 I was thinking this the other day - same here in Wilts - also huge amounts of damsons on my tree. I haven't looked too closely at Acorns - but seems like they are well up too following a very poor year last winter. What's the consensus on picking sloes - wait for the first frost or pick 'em when they're ready and pop in the freezer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted August 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 Not sure the first frost rule applies these days, but I would say it is still a little early, having said that the second lot look almost ready to go. What you really need is someone gullible to taste one and let you know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatcatsplat Posted August 17, 2015 Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 They are big and early again - Take them now, freeze them and they'll be fine. i picked bundles in Kent three or four years ago in August and the gin was gorgeous. The first frost bit is, i fear, a thing of the past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted August 17, 2015 Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 We have loads but they are not as advanced as yours Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoot and be safe Posted August 17, 2015 Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 Not sure the first frost rule applies these days, but I would say it is still a little early, having said that the second lot look almost ready to go. What you really need is someone gullible to taste one and let you know That brings back childhood memories. I gave some to the good lady to try a couple of seasons ago, she actually liked them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hesstondriver Posted August 17, 2015 Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 eat one first infront of them, knowing what they are like you can pretend how nice they are then watch their face as it draws their mouth out !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted August 17, 2015 Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 Third year running cant find any on the usual haunts around here. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konnie Posted August 17, 2015 Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 I've noticed a lot of berry baring bushes are laden with thier fruits this year, hawthorn, elder,blackberry. think it may be due to the warm start to the year, erly blossom etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guest1957 Posted August 17, 2015 Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 I had to thin all sorts of fruit this year because of unusually successful pollination. Sloes near me are looking very good, aiming for a demijohn of sloe gin this year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernest Posted August 17, 2015 Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 We went for a walk with the dog yesterday and the hedge rows are loaded with sloes. Only managed a kilo as the only bags we had were for the dog.. Back for more tomorrow night though, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPARKIE Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 loads down in derby too this year but still a bit hard...also this year my damson tree i planted 3 years ago in my back garden is covered in fruit the last 2 years you were lucky if it had 10 damsons on it...soon as there ready ill be making some damson gin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GingerCat Posted August 20, 2015 Report Share Posted August 20, 2015 Mega slows in lincs this year. Not ready yet but won't be long. Pick when ripe and sod the frost....that's what freezers are for and saves pricking them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadkill Posted August 20, 2015 Report Share Posted August 20, 2015 What gin do you lot use ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiffy Posted August 21, 2015 Report Share Posted August 21, 2015 thats a good sign, this year will be my first sloe hunt and ive heard a few palces not to far from me where there are trees Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted August 21, 2015 Report Share Posted August 21, 2015 What gin do you lot use ? The cheapest... as you are adding the flavour. Aldi is good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil3728 Posted August 21, 2015 Report Share Posted August 21, 2015 (edited) Loads around us, fancy having a go at making some Sloe Gin, Anyone got any recipes, Edited August 21, 2015 by neil3728 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted August 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2015 There are some in this section from memory. As for gin I never used absolute top end stuff, but have never used rubbish either - when I was lucky enough to get good stuff massively discounted it definitely made a difference to the end product. Some good advice here: http://www.sipsmith.com/blog/articles/how-to-make-the-perfect-sloe-gin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holly Posted August 21, 2015 Report Share Posted August 21, 2015 What gin do you lot use ? one year i used both lidls cheapo and gordons ,the cheapo won hands down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiffy Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 cant say ive drunk lidls gin but their vodka's are more than a match for the branded ones, in their advertising their blue label matched or beat (cant remember which) grey goose and is half the price... and after buying it i agree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike737 Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 Very poor year around here for the second year running... We had a bumper crop two years ago, they were as big as plums, and so thick we filled two carrier bags in about twenty foot of hedgerow. Going to be hard work picking this year... Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insy Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 I've noticed tons of them this year, I have about 20 glass demijohns laying about we picked up so wouldnt love to make tons of gin.Whats the tell tale signs of them being ready? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
39TDS Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 It's still August and you are picking sloes? The first frost guide is because that time of year is when they have developed their flavour, way too early yet. It's not as if the birds are about to devour them so what's the hurry? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadkill Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 where we are last year they were going funny by the end of September so we had to get out and get them picked Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insy Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 Tbh last year by the time first frost hit most the sloes were stripped by what i'm assuming is birds or possibly deer if deer eat them. All i know is last year I waited till first frost and got very little hence why i'm asking if there's any other tips/tricks to checking readiness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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