Wild Raspberry Picking

Saturday we suited up for our first foray into the bushes and brambles in search of wild black raspberries. We were not disappointed. We gathered about a gallon in an hour or so before the kids were too tired to continue. We left about half of the trail and berries untouched until next time.

My plan, in my head and heart, is to create a u-pick berry farm in the coming years consisting of at least black raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries. Many years ago my father attempted growing some hybrid black raspberries. They did well for a year or two before succumbing to root-rot. 

My plan as of today is to propagate and grow about an acre of black raspberries using the wild variety. While this does have its shortcomings, mostly size, it does offer some advantages including a natural resistance to disease, abundance of berry patches already existing on the farm for cuttings, and knowledge that the soil is right for berry growth if the current raspberry and blackberry patches are any indication.

Stay tuned as this plan hatches. In the meantime we'll post here the progress, problems, and "fruits" of our labor. We may even have a few berries to spare for our faithful blog followers!

Washed raspberries ready to eat and to flavor some raspberry gelato!

One of our dedicated pickers. He dove right in and picked like a machine...only eating a few along the way.

Delicious raspberries pre-wash.

The picking crew braving the thorns, dogging the bugs, and beating the birds to the berries.

A grand view of our home from the high hill above. The path also doubles as a sledding trail in winter.

It's looking like a great year for elderberries too!

A short pause to take in the view while picking.