How to Pick Blackberries With Your Family and Enjoy Natures Goodness

Looking for something fun and inexpensive for the whole family to do this summer? How about blackberry picking? Blackberries are delicious to eat but picking them can be a hassle. There are ways to make blackberry picking a family experience and one that the whole family can enjoy. Here are some tips to making your next blackberry experience enjoyable.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Camera
• buckets (small and large)
• mosquito repellent
• sunscreen
• proper clothing
• gloves for each person
• ladder
• water
• golf cart (optional)
• Picnic basket

1. Dressing appropriately is very important. Everyone should be in long slacks or at least long shorts or caprices type shorts. Make sure that everyone is protected from the sun. Sunscreen is a must for small children or light complexioned people.. A hat is also recommended. A good pair of sunglasses would be a plus. Spray yourself with a mosquito repellent before going out. It is also nice to wet some towels and bring them with you. They can be placed around your neck when it gets really hot.

2. Finding a location that is functional for picking blackberries is also a challenge but there are many different ones to choose from. You can go to www.pickyourown.org for a list of sites in your state. Make sure that the area around the blackberries has been mowed recently. That will make it easier to get to the blackberries. Sometime a golf cart can come in handy to getting to those hard to find places. This is also where a ladder can come in handy. It seems that when you are picking down low all the blackberries are on the top of the bush.

3. Make sure that everyone has a small bucket that is picking blackberries. Make sure that you make lots of noise because snakes love blackberries. (This is what makes it great for kids) they can be as noisy as they want. It is also a good idea to bring a larger bucket that everyone can dump their smaller buckets of blackberries into. Small buckets full of blackberries can get to heavy. Pick only the black berries do not pick them when they are red. The bigger the berry typically the sweeter the berry. So try to get the biggest ones you can find and put them in the bucket.

4. Make sure that everyone stays hydrated and safe. Bring plenty of water for each person. Be careful of thorns. Look at both sides of the bush and at all different angles for the blackberries.

5. Spread a blanket on the ground and enjoy a nice picnic lunch or dinner outside with your family. Make sure to take lots of pictures. Remember to eat some blackberries while picking them and after the picnic. They make a delicious fresh desert.

Tips & Warnings

• Bring plenty of water for each person
• Be careful of snakes

[goldiec]

on 7/21/2009 I love this article on picking blackberries! Thanks for sharing! Blackberries are without a doubt my favorite. 5*