The Lemon Fool

This is the time of year when you can help yourself to free fruit. Plums and blackberries will come later but now is the time for cherries. Yesterday in rural Northamptonshire (Southwick) I came upon several trees laden with small but beautifully ripe cherries, really dark red in colour. In no time I picked half a pound and there were many left for the next person.

You can tell when they are ripe because the ground is covered with fallen fruit or stones where the birds have got there first.

Cinelli

I hope the plants are wild and not cultivated.

The 1968 Theft Act (England and Wales) states: “A person who picks mushrooms growing wild on any land, or who picks flowers, fruit or foliage from a plant growing wild on any land, does not (although not in possession of the land) steal what he picks, unless he does it for reward, or for sale or other commercial purpose”.

Just to avoid debate.

Not free, but this year the birds had a feast off our cherry trees long before the fruit was ripe! Shall have to net them as soon as they blossom next year.

For wild black berries, we have our favourite spot where we collect up to 5 kgs at a time. Also as many apples as you need but we don't bother now as we have our own trees in the garden.

john

johnstevens77 wrote:For wild black berries, we have our favourite spot where we collect up to 5 kgs at a time.

A while ago I came upon a marvellous patch of blackberries growing by the side of a public footpath. The trouble was, the following year I just could not remember where it was! Perhaps I will stumble upon it again.

Cinelli

I hope it was above dog height!

Home Bargains does a grabby arm thing for £1.49. Great for cherries and berries - even has a magnet at the end for other stuff.

It's apple season now.

Our plums have just gone, but we have had a lot of interest in our apples which we offered on Freecycle and the local Facebook page.

Most are windfalls taken for jam etc but a few intrepid people with poles have been rattling the branches, so if you are on Freecycle it mught be worth asking.

Paul