It's that time of year...
If you're prepared to look, hidden treasures await those who seek them.
Among these delights are the succulent blackberries which for most of the year are an inconveniently-prevalent-weed; and for a few months each year transform into nature's little gift to the forager. As you head out to harvest these tasty little berries, let's touch on their history and equip ourselves with practical tips for a fruitful foraging experience.
A Brief History
Blackberries, though not native to Australia, have become deeply entrenched in its landscape. Introduced by early European settlers in the 19th century, these resilient plants quickly naturalised, finding their place in the wild and solidifying their status as one of Australia's worst-prevalent-weeds. Today, they thrive in diverse habitats across the continent, from temperate forests to coastal regions.
Identification
With all foraging in general, it's crucial to familiarise yourself with the distinctive features of your target plants. Blackberries are a great starting point for the novice forager as identification is fairly straightforward. They typically grow as dense, thorny shrubs with jagged-edged, serrated leaves arranged in groups of three or five. Come summer, these bushes bear clusters of small, black, or dark purple berries, each a refreshing burst of tart-sweetness.
Keep an eye out for their fruit's 'bubbly' texture; similar to the texture you'd expect to see on raspberries and store bought blackberries.
Look A-likes
You may come across a plant with similar woody stems, thorns and serrated leaves arranged in groups of five which fruit around the same time of year and often find themselves nestled amongst blackberries: meet the Small Leaf Bramble. This native raspberry is also an edible plant fruiting from December to April which you can include on your next wild blackberries harvest.
The Small Leaf Bramble tends to have smaller leaves and an obvious leaf structure with leaves arrange in two rows of two, with a perpendicular leaf on top (see image). I'll usually collect these as well, or have them as a little snack while foraging. It's always nice seeing these little natives when out in the bush.
Photo (left): Small Leaf Bramble
Photo (right: A comparison of the Blackberry (top) and Small Leaf Bramble (bottom)
Identifying Sprayed Blackberries
With a reputation as one of Australia's worst-prevalent-weeds it is wise to keep in mind the various control measures for these plants to avoid any contamination to your harvest. Although it's something to be aware of, it's a risk that can be controlled by taking a few easy steps and knowing what to look for.
Spraying does occur as a control measure in some areas (see tips below for avoiding sprayed areas). Usually recently sprayed blackberries will show the effects of spraying within a day or two. You can also contact land management for any questions regarding blackberry management and to understand their management strategy, location and times of year they may be spraying. Below are a few images to help you identify unhealthy, blackberry plants and signs of spraying!
Photo (L to R and Top to Bottom): Early to late stages of blackberry health after spraying; notice initial wilting of leaves, discolouration and yellowing which eventually becomes dried, dead, woody stems.
Tips for Foraging
1. Choose the Right Location
Seek out areas away from roadsides and industrial zones, where pollution, chemical runoff and spraying are less likely to contaminate the berries. Roadside harvests can be good, but be aware of spraying and dust/contaminants from the road! Washing/soaking your berries in bicarb soda is good to get rid of residue that may be sitting on the surface.
2. Timing is Key
Aim to forage during the peak of the season, typically from late spring to early autumn, when the berries are ripe and plump with flavour.
3. Safety First
Avoid picking berries near sprayed areas (and keep and eye out where animals might have left their mark - this is less concerning and can easily be fixed by washing your berries before consumption). Waterways, and remote areas are usually less likely to be sprayed; and the effects of spraying is usually noticeable within a few days (see above 'Identifying Sprayed Blackberries').
Also, if you're with kids, be cautious of poisonous 'black'-'berries' such as nightshade, which also bears dark berries but has distinct differences in leaf structure (these are very obvious with totally different leaves, and fruits). Just thought I'd mention this if you're with kids or first timers who are only looking for 'black'-'berries'. These are very obvious! If in doubt a quick google should clear things up. Bringing a photo reference for your first time or for kids which could be useful and a fun way to turn foraging into a little Treasure Hunt.
4. Collecting Your Harvest
Although it's not essential, equipping yourself with sturdy gloves and long-sleeved clothing can increase your efficiency and avoid those little sharp thorns that seem to always find a way to remind you that they're there! Also, bring a container for collecting your bounty. A pair of pruning shears can also come in handy for navigating through thorny thickets.
5. Consider Storage and Preserving Methods
Like most fruits, blackberries and the small leaf bramble only fruit for a few months of the year. They're usually generous with the amount they produce so consider stocking up for the months. Remember to consider your consumption, and have a plan to preserve or store them; only take what you can keep without wastage. (For more ideas on preserving and other useful tips subscribe to our email list at the bottom of this blog).
Photo: Remember to enjoy your time out in nature, your harvest and beautiful spots like this!
Enjoying Your Harvest
Once you've gathered your blackberry treasure trove, the culinary possibilities are endless. From jams and pies to smoothies and salads, these versatile berries lend themselves to a myriad of dishes. Consider freezing, dehydrating and jarring your harvest to enjoy year round. Alternatively, enjoy them fresh, straight from the bush, for an unparalleled taste of nature's sweetness.
A 'Must Do' for Freezing Blackberries
A great tip for freezing, is to lay them out on a baking tray and leave them in the freezer until frozen. Once solid, bag them up and store in the freezer for later use. Without following these steps you often end up with a gigantic-solid-iced-clump of blackberries which can be difficult to deal with.
Photo: Lay out your harvest like this before freezing. Just a little bit of separation will prevent the berries from sticking together!
Conclusion
In conclusion, foraging for blackberries is a rewarding adventure that connects us with the land and its bountiful offerings. It makes use of an otherwise troublesome weed and is a great way to explore your area. With a keen eye, a sense of adventure, and a healthy respect for nature, you'll discover the little hidden treasures that are our there waiting for you. Happy foraging!
A little side note: Controlling Blackberries on Your own Property
If you have a blackberry infestation on your property and are looking to control them without the use of chemical sprays, consider using goats which are a proven method of intervention as they preferentially graze on blackberries. Not only will they help you manage blackberries but you'll have a pet, or goat harvest into the future. It's a long game that requires a bit of planning, here's a bit more info.
Click Here: For more info about using Goats for Blackberry Management
