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When is the best time to harvest Sloes?

mollzer · 2010-09-27 08:48:12

There are a few Blackthorn bushes in the bottom of our landlords garden, laden down with Sloes. He said I can have them whenever I want, am going to try and make some Sloe gin. Does anyone know when would be the best time to harvest them?

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27-09-2010 9:48am

#1

mollzer

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Join Date: February 2007

Posts: 210

There are a few Blackthorn bushes in the bottom of our landlords garden, laden down with Sloes.

He said I can have them whenever I want, am going to try and make some Sloe gin.

Does anyone know when would be the best time to harvest them?

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#2 27-09-2010 11:03pm
mollzer

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After much reading/research it seems the best time to harvest them is after the first frosts....so another while to go maybe.

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#3 27-09-2010 11:36pm
mountainy man

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yes , after the first frost , sloe gin is central heating for the soul!!:D have made it with vodka too , yum!

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#4 19-10-2010 1:12pm
muckety

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I have already picked my sloes, if you wait too long the birds will have them! The reason for waiting for after the 1st frost is that when the berries freeze the skins split, so the juice flavours the gin better. But you can achieve this by sticking them in the freezer for a day or so - also you can prick each sloe several times with a pin (I do both).

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