Looks like this is going to be the best blackberry harvest that I’ve had in several years. It takes two years from shoot to berry. A a lot that can happen during that time. Lack of rain, too much rain, disease, deer, wind and winter temps can thwart a berries journey into being. The weather this year will determine the canes that come up this year and next to some extent. Also the rain or lack thereof will contribute to the number and size of the berries. All of the good weather in the world is for naught if I don’t get them covered prior to ripening. The birds will pick them clean if given a change.
This is the second picking of the season. The batch I picked a couple of days ago was just enough for a cobbler.
I know this is a rather odd thing to ask, but I was wondering if you knew a source for currents and raspberries in Kentucky (close to Lexington would be ideal, but I’m willing to drive). My mother is having a rather hard time of it lately, and her favorite jam of all time is current raspberry. I haven’t had it since we lived in New York, though, and I have no earthly idea how to get the ingredients…Thanks!
Are you looking for plants or fruit? Not sure where you would buy currant fruit but the raspberries might be available at the local farmers market. There is a blackberry farm near Lexington (Paris perhaps?) that may or may not also sell raspberries. If you are looking for plants, I bought some of my through Indiana berry. If you get in touch with me next April you can come dig as many raspberry plants as you want. I usually mow several hundred down every spring to keep the beds in their allotted area.