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Sloes

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Steve R, Sep 23, 2011.

  1. Steve R

    Steve R Soil Furtler

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    Has anyone picked any yet?

    They seem to be ripe here, but not overly sure.

    Steve...:)
     
    Steve R, Sep 23, 2011
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  2. Phil A

    Phil A Guest

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    Only as a mouth freshener when i'm out for a walk. Seemed ripe. But then i'm a long way from Cumbria.
     
    Phil A, Sep 23, 2011
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  3. Aesculus

    Aesculus Bureaucrat 34 (Admin)

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    I think I might make some sloe gin for christmas, what's it taste like? and what recipes are you using? :D
     
    Aesculus, Sep 23, 2011
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  4. Steve R

    Steve R Soil Furtler

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    I hate Gin...will be making Sloe Jelly and Sloe wine...

    Steve...:)
     
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      Steve R, Sep 23, 2011
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    • Fidgetsmum

      Fidgetsmum Total Gardener

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      I'd wait until after the first frost before picking sloes
       
      Fidgetsmum, Sep 23, 2011
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    • Steve R

      Steve R Soil Furtler

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      Thats the standard advice that I have read due to the frost starting to break the flesh down, therefore allowing juice from the berries easier for sloe gin making, however that has no bearing on ripening.

      Other hedgerow berries have matured earlier than normal this year so I think Sloes will be the same too, I already know of some people who are or have picked ripe sloes (Southern counties).

      I was hoping someone in an area relative to me (Cumbria - oop norf) might know if they are ripe this far up, I've steared clear of sloes all my life and would not know when they are ripe or not...all I can say right now is that they are certainly not as sharp as they where 3 weeks ago and the berries are less firm than they where.

      Steve...:)
       
      Steve R, Sep 24, 2011
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    • Lolimac

      Lolimac Guest

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      I hate Gin too...but having said that i love Sloe Gin !!!!:rolleyespink:
       
      Lolimac, Sep 27, 2011
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    • Lolimac

      Lolimac Guest

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      The way i describe the taste is ...it's like a lovely sweet cough mixture:WINK1:
      It reminds me of christmas...(not that thats anything to do with christmas:DOH:)I'll dig out a recipe..
       
      Lolimac, Sep 27, 2011
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    • Steve R

      Steve R Soil Furtler

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      I've now found out that Sloes are just about ripe here in North West Cumbria, being so far north I would expect they will be ripe just about everywhere by now.

      So I'll be out picking this week some time now.

      Steve...:)
       
      Steve R, Sep 27, 2011
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    • OxfordNick

      OxfordNick Super Gardener

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      Ive filled the first demijohn with Gin - lots of ripe sloes around here !
      [​IMG]
       
      OxfordNick, Sep 27, 2011
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    • bi9johnny

      bi9johnny Gardener

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      have several demijohns full of sloe gin that i did 3 weeks back as soon as they have that bluey white hue to them we pop them in the freezer for 48 hours to split them and then bottle ...still lots around so will pick more this week and freeze for the next lot......oh and seeing as raspberries were cheap i did some raspberry vodka too mmmmmm
       
      bi9johnny, Sep 27, 2011
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