Fruits Of My Labour

Discussion in 'Fruit and Veg Gardening' started by Sjoerd, Jul 17, 2008.

  1. Sjoerd

    Sjoerd Mighty Oak

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    Well, one of my very favourite crops are the blueberries. I am almost obsessed with the bushes and having a good harvest from them.
    I lost about half of the crop due to an unexpected and quick frostiing, twice in close succession.
    Ah well...all part and parcel, but I ws quite disappointed.
    Luckily I have several types of blueberries in the 'patch' which also bloom at different times. That is what saved me this year.

    Well, they have been blue for some time, and recently, we harvested them and made jam.
    Here are a couple of fotos. I am really pleased with getting seven jars plus a bit more.

    This jam tastes so good!


    The harvest (1½ kilos):
    [​IMG]
    The finished product. I just have to lable tyhem and put them in the pantry now.
    [​IMG]
     
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  3. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    Another yummy crop. My family loves when there is a 'bit more' that means there is a bowl in the fridge waiting for them to taste test.
     
  4. Frank

    Frank GardenStew Founder Staff Member Administrator

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    So blue, so tasty. Very happy to hear you didn't lose your entire crop Sjoerd and were able to enjoy some spoils :D
     
  5. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    I'd never tasted blueberry jam until friends of ours in Holland gave a us a jar. Now I love it but can't find any in the shops that tastes as good as the home-made jam we were given. I guess we'll have to try growing our own blueberries!!
     



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  6. gardengater

    gardengater Young Pine

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    It looks wonderful. You have such a bountiful garden. The rewards of much care, no doubt. I always enjoy the photos you share. They are an inspiration. Enjoy that jam!

    gardengater
     
  7. dooley

    dooley Super Garden Turtle

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    I love blueberries, too. I have to buy my though. I've never grown them. Yours look so good!! dooley
     
  8. glendann

    glendann Official Garden Angel

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    Yummy looking bunch of fruit and veggies.That bluebery jam looks wonderful.What you buy at the shops never taste like home made.You have a wonderful green thumb Sjoerd.I am always amazed to see all you have grown.
     
  9. gardenmama

    gardenmama In Flower

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    Looks yummy...I love blueberries and the jam..YUMMO! Congrats on the lovely harvest. :stew1:
     
  10. Sjoerd

    Sjoerd Mighty Oak

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    Thank you so much for your kind words, everyone. I have sampled the jam a couple of times now and it really is delicious.

    Eileen--if you ever get serious about growing blueberries for jamming or baking...let me know, for I have a few little tips for you. ;)
    Did you say that you had some friends here that gave you some jam to sample? That's interesting because Holland is not really what I'd call a "blueberry country". I rarely see them for sale here in the supermarkets and in the garden centers and internet order places they're are only a hand full on offer, and sometimes they give them a generic name so that you don't even know what type you're buying.
    I had to go to extra trouble to get they types that I have.
    Anyway, I'm glad you like it too, I honestly don'ty think that I could go a year without eating it. :oops: hahahaha
     
  11. kuntrygal

    kuntrygal Texas Rose

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    Yummy looking bounty and I know the jam will be delicious.
     
  12. petunia

    petunia Young Pine

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    blueberry Jam, I've never had that, but I bet it is really delicious. I usually have to buy blueberries from the store every year. Then I'll freeze them so that I'll have them for over the winter to enjoy. Thanks for sharing, your crop looks good.
     
  13. Sjoerd

    Sjoerd Mighty Oak

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    Gosh Petunia...living in Michigan, I'd be surprized if Blueberry bushes wouldn't grow well for you.
    Perhaps you should try a few bushes. ;)
     
  14. Biita

    Biita Arctic-ally Challenged Forager

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    ohhh well done Sjoerd!! They look great, or i mean they did look great. Now they look even better made into that jam!

    Ours here are just about ready. We find some here and that are. but they don't make it very far from the plant that was picked,,lol. We have friends here now who come every yr from Holland. The first thing their son asked me was when are we going berry picking! I took them yesterday for cloudberries, but they weren't quite ready, but he did find some blueberries. The other family has a daughter, and she is so excited because she comes and helps me make the jam, and ofcourse they both get their own jars to take home and one for their breakfasts while they are here. Ohhh yeah, she is a master berry picker too! Both kids are 9-10 yrs. Those 2 families will be here until Aug 2nd, and are such dear friends of ours, so not alot of time on the net!

    Enjoy that jam, i know i sure would, it looks wonderful!
     
  15. PepperDude

    PepperDude In Flower

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    YUMMO....Where's the peanut butter or the cobbler or just the spoon? All kidding aside GREAT GROWING!!!
     
  16. Sjoerd

    Sjoerd Mighty Oak

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    Thanks PD. The jam is very tasty alright. We use it mostly as a bread covering, but sometimes we mix it through yogurt and put it in scones and crèpes.

    BIITA--Heh heh heh...I'd wondered where you'd been. Have fun, just don't forget about us tho. ;)
    It sounds like you have good help there.
    I never knew that our country had migrant workers that went to Norway for the berry harvests. :D

    Good hearing from you. When you have some time, why don't you show some of the wonderful stuff that you make there.

    Seeyah
     

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