Nothing heralds Summer in more than walking to the berry patch and finding plump ripe blackberries. The berries I pick grow wild (and I mean wild) along the woods line behind our house. They normally ripen the first week in July however my berries are already black and juicy. Blackberry picking is about 2 things - 1. Getting the biggest, sweetest berries while receiving a minimum of scratches and 2. Fighting chiggers. That's it, real simple. In order to accomplish these two things country girls go through a lot of trouble year after year. It is a tough and sometimes dangerous job but well worth the reward. These are my blackberry picking tips to make the job easier.
1. Clothes: Daddy taught me how to dress for berry picking. Even in the Southern July heat we wore long sleeve shirts, blue jeans, socks and thick boots. Each element was for a purpose. Long sleeves so the chiggers could only go so far. Somethings we even put rubber bands around our wrists. Wearing blue jeans was an attempt to repel the briars. It gave them something to hang onto besides your skin. Wearing socks is the same principle as the shirt, cover as much skin as possible. And thick boots in case you accidentally walk near a snake and upset it.
2. Tools: Daddy and I cut a hole in a gallon milk jug and looped our belt through the handle. Instant berry holder that left both hands free. And believe me you need both while picking berries. We also took a hoe. These days I take an old sickle to knock down briars and brush, pound on the ground to scare the snakes away and pull the limb with the fattest berries to me then I drop them into a plastic bowl sitting on the ground.
3. Freeze the berries: When you are finished picking, pour the berries either on a plate or cookie sheet depending on how many you picked and pop them in the freezer unwashed. If you are not going to use them immediately you want to freeze them as soon as possible. Let them sit in the freezer while you follow the next steps.
4. Vinegar: As soon as the berries are in the fridge or freezer pour a good amount of vinegar into a bowl (about 2 cups or more depending on your size). Hop into the shower without water running and with a wash clothe wash all over with the straight vinegar. Remember to get all those crevices chiggers like to hide in. Be cautious around your face. It's OK to get around the neck, the ears and carefully on the cheeks but please do not get straight vinegar near your eyes. Voice of wisdom speaking, vinegar stings. It will also sting every little briar scratch so get ready. Once you have soaked yourself really well with the vinegar wash it off with luke warm water then turn to cool for a final rinse.
5. Calamine Lotion: Now that you are clean get a bottle of calamine lotion, shake well and apply to any and all places chiggers might have already bitten. For example, underarms, wrists, between the toes, all crevices etc. I know you are getting dirty just after you got clean but trust me it will keep you from itching. Anytime you think you feel a chigger tickle, reach for the bottle and add more. Don't wash off until in the morning then bathe as usual.
6. Bag the berries: Once you are covered with the calamine sit down and rest a few minutes then get the berries out of the freezer, put them in a freezer bag and then back into the freezer. When you get ready to use them you can easily pour out as much as you need, wash to help them thaw and put them in whatever wonderful dish you have decided to make.
I hope you can find some blackberries near you. When you do, tell me all about it.
Later...
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