[Bigfatsi]

Feel free to move if I've put this in the wrong place!

I'm looking to make Sloe gin this year and have been told that there are shed loads in and around the village. So, to prepare I had a bit reccy this morning whilst out with the dog.

There are plenty of these bushes about. But are they Sloes?!



Thanks in advance!

Simon

[DD.]

Yes.

NEXT!!!

[Bigfatsi]

Sweet. Cheers!

Simon

[DD.]

Sweet.

Actually they won't be! 

[SG6]

Other name is black thorn. Basically the bark is dark almost black and the bush is thorny.  If you had looked early in the year they are often the first tree/bush to flower and the flowers are white. Fruit will not be "ripe" until Sept-Oct when they are a deep blue-black.

[DD.]

As SG6 stated, they are the first to flower and it is at that time of year it's easiest to locate your bushes for later picking. Flowers are almost pure white.

It's said they are best picked after the first frost.

[A. Fallowfield]

When you pick them for the gin, take a good thorn as well to prick all the sloes with!

[TheEnglishman]

When you pick them for the gin, take a good thorn as well to prick all the sloes with!

I did that one year and was there all day!   A swift google the next year showed the benefits of freezing the sloes so they burst, saving fruitless(couldn't resist) hours pricking. 

[pottyaboutgrowing]

  YOU LUCK DEVIL... My secret supply has disappeared. Not sure what has happened to it. Think the nice men from the council have been around     

[mumofstig]

so they are not-so-nice men from the council now

[pottyaboutgrowing]

Actually on looking for another supply of sloes and finding some  yours seem to be rather big by comparison and was wondering if they could be damsons instead.. look closely they don't have any thorns on them do they??? and they say you should prick the sloes with a thorn from the tree.. I think they are or could be damsons.. your still very lucky as they are very hard to come by..

[Ropster]

Have a munch on one, that will soon tell you, Sloes are increadibly tart. it they are at all sweet then there probably dansons, Which also make good gin, so it doesnt realy matter

[madcat]

When you pick them for the gin, take a good thorn as well to prick all the sloes with!

I did that one year and was there all day!   A swift google the next year showed the benefits of freezing the sloes so they burst, saving fruitless(couldn't resist) hours pricking. 

The other advantage of giving them a day in the freezer is you dont have to wait for the first frost ....  which means you get there before the birds and in time for it to mature for Christmas!