• Home
  • About
  • Blog
    • All posts
    • Nature
    • Slow Living
    • Cottagecore
    • Folklore
  • Shop
    • Sustainable Fashion
    • DΓ©cor Ideas
    • Natural bodycare
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

seasonofearth

All things nature, slow living and folklore.

Blog, Eco-friendly tips, Featured, Nature, Seasons, Slow Living, Uncategorized · August 1, 2024

When are Blackberries in Season? How to Pick the Sweetest Blackberries

Blackberries are a small cane fruit native to Britain. These small berries are packed with full of antioxidants and nutrients like vitamin C and K, which can help you stay healthy as the seasons change from summer to autumn. They can be eaten fresh or used in a variety of recipes like pies, crumbles, jams, liquors, cakes, or cordials.

In this article, we will discuss when blackberries are in season, where to find them, and tips for finding the sweetest fruits!

Warning: Wild plants can be poisonous. Never eat anything you haven’t definitively identified as safe. Do thorough research before foraging using multiple trusted sources. I am not a medical professional and none of the information provided on this blog is medical advice.

When are blackberries in season?

The best time to pick blackberries in the UK is typically in late August or early September, as this is when they are typically most abundant and at their sweetest. However, blackberry season in the UK can last from July to October, depending on where you live and the weather conditions of the year. Fruits tend to ripen sooner in the south of the country than in the north, and cool weather can delay flower production, pushing back the start of the season.

Blackberries in July are often sharp, while those in August and September are juicy and sweet. By October, they tend to be sour or rotten due to the wet weather and lack of sunshine.

Where to find blackberries

Blackberries grow in many places, including woodlands, hedgerows, footpaths, country lanes, gardens, and parks. It is important to be mindful of where you pick blackberries, as some areas may be contaminated. It is best to avoid picking fruits that grow near roadsides or residential areas, as they may have been exposed to pollutants. Additionally, be careful to avoid picking berries that are close to the ground, as they may have been contaminated by animal waste, etc. Make sure to respect private property and leave plenty of berries behind for the animals and insects that depend on these fruits as a vital food source.

How to pick blackberries

It’s important to know how to pick blackberries and which ones are ripe so you can get a sweet and delicious harvest. Here’s a guide to help you select and gather the perfect blackberries:

Identifying Ripe Blackberries:

  • Colour: Seek out plump berries that are deep purple or black in colour.
  • Texture: If you’re eating them straightaway, choose berries that are slightly matte and firm with a little bit of give. These berries typically offer the sweetest flavour.
  • Easy Release: If a berry isn’t coming off the bush easily, it probably isn’t ripe yet.
  • Unripe berries: Steer clear of red or green berries, because they are not yet ripe.
  • Partial Ripeness: Berries that are mostly dark but retain some lighter purple hues might not be fully ripe. Gently press the berry; if it’s very firm, it’s likely not ready.
how to tell if a blackberry is ripe

General Picking Advice:

  • Handle the berries carefully: Blackberries are delicate and bruise easily. When picking, be gentle and avoid using too much force.
  • Use a shallow container: A shallow container will help prevent the berries from being crushed.
  • Protect yourself from thorns: Blackberry bushes have sharp thorns, so wear protective clothing to avoid getting scratched and don’t reach too deeply into the bush.
  • Choose safe and sanitary picking locations: Don’t pick near roadsides or at the bottom of the bush where there may be contaminants.

How to store blackberries

Blackberries are versatile berries that can be preserved in a variety of ways, including making jams, canning, freeze-drying, fermenting, refrigerating, or freezing. This guide will focus on the simple method of refrigerating blackberries to extend their shelf life. Be mindful that the berries can stain surfaces, clothing, and hands.

Washing your berries

After gathering your harvest, you should wash it thoroughly. To do so, fill a shallow bowl with cool water and gently place the blackberries inside. To encourage hidden insects to emerge, add a pinch of salt to the water and leave it to soak. Give the water a gentle swirl to remove any insects, dirt, or debris. You may need to pour out the dirty water and repeat this step a few times over.

For a more thorough cleaning, consider using a veggie wash. Once they’re clean, gently dry them with a clean kitchen towel or kitchen roll.

Refrigerating your berries

Here are some of the best practices to keeping your berries as fresh as possible after you’ve picked and washed them:

  • Refrigerate the blackberries as soon as possible after picking and washing them.
  • To slow down the formation of mildew and mould, store your blackberries in a vented container.
  • Blackberries are sensitive to ethylene gas, which is produced by fruits and vegetables like apples, broccoli, onions, tomatoes, and avocados. Ethylene gas can make your berries rot faster, so its best to store them away from these foods.
  • You should eat your blackberries within two days because they spoil quickly.

This post was all about when blackberries are in season and how to pick them!

Let's keep in touch!

Join my mailing list to receive exclusive magical content, nature-inspired tutorials, and letters from the heart.

Thanks for signing up! Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Let's keep in touch!

Join my mailing list to receive exclusive magical content, nature-inspired tutorials, and letters from the heart.

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Share this:

Related

Posted In: Blog, Eco-friendly tips, Featured, Nature, Seasons, Slow Living, Uncategorized · Tagged: nature, slow living

You’ll Also Love

Everything You Need to Know about Willow Flowers
Bluebell Flower Meaning: Symbolism & Folklore
When do snowdrops bloom? How to see snowdrops UK
Next Post >

Truthbrush Review: Switching to a Bamboo Electric Toothbrush Head

Primary Sidebar

About Me
Discover seasonal living ideas, sustainable fashion, foraged recipes, folktales, eco-friendly reviews, and more here at Seasonofearth! You can also use the search bar at the top of the page to find something specific.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Thank you for registering! Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Ad πŸ¦‹πŸŒˆ Butterflies can help you predict the w Ad πŸ¦‹πŸŒˆ Butterflies can help you predict the weather, according to folklore. 

In Mid and West Wales, for example, seeing a gathering of a large number of white butterflies is said to be a sign that fair weather is on the way. πŸ› Meanwhile, in England, seeing brimstone butterflies among the spring flowers was thought to be a sign that poor weather is around the corner. 

 Butterflies are highly sensitive to changes in temperature and barometric pressure, which lowers before a storm or change in weather happens. β›ˆοΈ So, there's a scientific basis for the idea that they may indicate short-term weather changes. If they're seeking shelter, it's a sign that rain or harsh weather is on the way. 

The beautiful blue butterfly ring I'm wearing in this video was kindly gifted to me by @fableengland . It's modelled after vintage natural history illustrations and is fully adjustable! 

#butterfly #folklore #cottagecore #forestcore #naturecore #nature #butterflies #bookstagram #books
🌼🌲✨ Snowdrops appear as if by magic in a d 🌼🌲✨ Snowdrops appear as if by magic in a delicate green and white carpet at the begining of spring. 

We've had a lot of frost and snow throughout February and in these first few days of March. It's incredible to see how these unassuming little flowers overcome the cold. 

❄️ Snowdrops have anti-freeze proteins in their sap which keep their cells safe from freezing temperatures, and their leaves are specially-adapted to break through frozen soil or snow thanks to their hardened, pointed ends. 

#nature #naturecore #cottagecore #snowdrops #snowdropseason #fairycore #bookstagram #cosy
β„οΈπŸ•―οΈ Snow tumbles from the tree's crown, β„οΈπŸ•―οΈ Snow tumbles from the tree's crown, shards of starlight casting a kaleidoscope portal in the air. Through the fanged maw of mist, a forgotten world shivers awake. Wood sprites weave spells over winter-brushed branches. Dragons, draped with silvered lichen, stir in their ancient dreams. 

πŸŒ²β„οΈπŸŒ²β„οΈ 

Like every season, winter has its own special kind of magic. It's incredible to watch familiar landscapes transform with snowfall or frost, like a whole new world has been layered on top of what already exists. 

#wintermagic #wintersolstice #folklore #nature #fantasybooks #bookstagram #cottagecore #forestcore #slowliving #naturecore #darkacademia #darkcottagecore #magic
A journey through the wishing woods πŸŒ²πŸ‚βœ¨ Be A journey through the wishing woods πŸŒ²πŸ‚βœ¨ Beech trees are known for their connection to wishes and knowledge.

Legend has it that if you write a selfless wish on a fallen beech branch and tie it back to the tree, it might come true. This tradition is thought to have originated from the Celtic belief that beech trees have a direct connection to the Otherworld, so the words will be carried there.

It was absolutely enchanting to see these trees in the mist in the early hours πŸ‚ 

#folklore #bookstagram #cottagecore #naturecore #fantasybooks #magic #cosy #autumn #forestcore #Faeries #darkcottagecore #halloween #nature #slowliving
πŸŒ™πŸ‚ The Hunter's Moon and faerie revelry | ad πŸŒ™πŸ‚ The Hunter's Moon and faerie revelry | ad with @fableengland

The Hunter's Moon will appear in our skies this October. It is the first full moon after the Harvest Moon, rising in the cool, clear nights that follow the autumn equinox. 

Like the Harvest Moon, the Hunter's Moon was (and still is) a crucial light source for those working or travelling during the dark autumn nights.πŸ•―οΈOn moonlit nights like these, the Fae are said to emerge from their dwellings and come to the mortal world for rades or processions - especially near Samhain, when the Hunter's moon appears. 

This pendant from @fableengland 's Autumn/ Winter collection perfectly captures the moon's glow at this time of year. It has a faux pearl centre that reflects light beautifully. 🌌 

The Hunter's moon this year is on the 28th of October. πŸŒ™

#cottagecore #naturecore #faeries #cosy #fairycore #bookstagram #folklore #moon #darkacademia #forestcore #slowliving
Paint with me πŸŽ¨πŸ•―οΈπŸ‚ I love getting cosy Paint with me πŸŽ¨πŸ•―οΈπŸ‚ I love getting cosy in autumn with arts and crafts! Mini canvas art is an approachable way to fit a little creativity in without committing to a big project when you're busy. It's easy to get a small piece done in an hour or two. Are you working on any creative projects at the moment? 

#cosy #cottagecore #naturecore #slowliving #darkacademia #bookstagram #autumnart #minicanvas
Travel through the seasons with me. πŸŒΏπŸ‚ It's Travel through the seasons with me. πŸŒΏπŸ‚ It's hard to believe it's autumn already! I started filming this video more than a year ago, capturing the seasons from the same spot beneath this beautiful birch tree. It's incredible to see how the trees and landscape change from vivid greens and blossoms to the frigid snow of winter. 

I find that my creativity is at its peak in the transition seasons of autumn and spring 🍁🌼 I've been active on my stories, but I'm excited to start sharing more feed posts again! When do you feel the most creative?

#cottagecore #bookstagram #forestcore #slowliving #naturecore #darkacademia #darkcottagecore #magic

Copyright © 2025 seasonofearth · Theme by 17th Avenue

Affiliate Disclaimer - Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy