Pick your own

Khannie

Are there any pick your own places in the North County? I'm taking a break soon. I think the kids would really enjoy something like that.

The Hill Billy

Try Jones Fruit Farm & Garden Centre, Swords Road, Donabate, phone: 8402705.

Dizzyblonde

Hill Billy, Jones' don't have fruit any more. I was in there last year and asked - they said they haven't had fruit for years. It's just a garden centre and shop now.

Sid_Justice

really? is there no where around there that's a massive fruit farm with loads of berries?

Dizzyblonde

I don't think so - as far as I know there's only Lambert's in Rathfarnham left.

cathy01

Yep Jones is gone.I was looking for something similer.
Real shame.You could contact Sonarta, and see what they have.

T-Maxx

Keelings...:pac:

Corsendonk

They sell fruit to the public but it's not pick your own. There is always the coastline if you fancy winkle or cockle picking on the rocks of Fingal.

The Hill Billy

Alas, not ideal if you have very young kids.

meditraitor

Corsendonk wrote: »

They sell fruit to the public but it's not pick your own. There is always the coastline if you fancy winkle or cockle picking on the rocks of Fingal.

This does sound good but one thing about the winkles (or any coastal shellfish for that matter) on dublins beaches..... before they are exported to france or continental europe they need to be put in clean clear flowing water for 2 or 3 days to remove the nasty little bugs they pick up in the irish sea.

I wouldnt recommend cooking/eating these unless you possess a clean water facility.

Eoineo

There's always bramble picking inthe Autumn

Corsendonk

True, but a great classroom to teach the kids about there environment.

meditraitor

Eoineo wrote: »

There's always bramble picking inthe Autumn

Love it, blackberry picking..... went out last year with the little nephews. Enough for 6 jars of beautiful jam.

Corsendonk

Did you check with the farmer when he last sprayed the field? Spray drift is very common.

meditraitor

Corsendonk wrote: »

Did you check with the farmer when he last sprayed the field? Spray drift is very common.

I always pick them is on the verges of grazing land, no spraying. Usually more overgrown and likely to have better crops of blackberries.

Corsendonk

Very good, unfortunately not too much grazing land near me. Does anyone harvest crab apples and actually use them?

Eoineo

Yep I do. I try to preserve as much as I can while it's in season. Blackcurrants last week by the way. A decent jam if it's well made & sealed will last until Christmas which is good for presents.

The blackberries I collect are from non-agri land. So they're not sprayed.

My biggest problem with seasonal stuff is finding the space to store all the jars & frozen stuff. I only have a combined fridge/freezer & limited storage.

Martron

eoineo, a well packed box in the attic works wonders for the jams. just dont forgwt about them. i put it by the christmas lights so i dont forget.

( off topic what method do you use to serilise you jars? )

you ever try drying the fruits? not bad result.

also flavouring alcohol too. friend of min made a koppaberg style beer with blackberries. was rocket fuel but was lovely. ( not so much the next day)

my favourite is fresh fruit sorbet. lovely in the summer eveing after a bbq.

all this talk is making me hungry

Eoineo

Oh I have a larder area in my sitting room but it's becoming pretty packed already. I plan on making blackcurrant vodka once I get my hands on some funky bottles.

I sterilise my jars in the dishwasher - seriously - and then warm them in the oven so that they don't crack when I pour the jam in.

I have a very easy recipe for frozen yoghurt-style blackberries which is used a good few times during the year providing I get a good crop.

Don't tell my husband but I'm already planning the gifts for Christmas this year. Mind you if I get enough made I'd be seriously tempted to try and sell some and get some pin money together.

The Hill Billy

How about posting that recipe over in the Cooking and Recipes forum?

Martron

ikea have great bottles and jars.

i find that if you boild your jars in a pot and pour the jam straight into the hot jar ( prevent any contamination) then put greaseproof on top of the jam and seal. had a jar that was nearly 2 years old. was grand.

so basically........ i dont know where you can pick your own fruit

Eoineo

Hill Billy wrote: »

How about posting that recipe over in the Cooking and Recipes forum?

Yes boss, gotta dig it out so it'll be tomorrow.

Posher

I know there is a large strawberry farm in Stamullen called Clarkes. It might be worth checking if they do pick your own. I haven't a clue if they do.

rubberdiddies

Jones used to be great for picking stawberrys and raspberries etc. Though the old "one for me, one in the basket" problem must have been a factor in them stopping.

A previous poster mentioned keeling. Last time i passed was last week and they had a sign outside their premises saying pick your own strawberries.

meditraitor

Posher wrote: »

I know there is a large strawberry farm in Stamullen called Clarkes. It might be worth checking if they do pick your own. I haven't a clue if they do.

Jasus, I worked their for a few days when I was 14 or 15, 20 odd years ago.... I think I made £6

Khannie

Eoineo wrote: »

There's always bramble picking inthe Autumn

Ah yeah, we'll do that. Been doing it for a few years now. Also looking at foraging other stuff (elderberries and wild rhubarb). Might progress to shell fish next year.

rubberdiddies wrote: »

A previous poster mentioned keeling. Last time i passed was last week and they had a sign outside their premises saying pick your own strawberries.

Where abouts is this?

Dizzyblonde

Keelings is just behind the airport http://www.keelings.com/home.asp

Khannie

Perfect. I'll knock in there. Thanks.