The Organic Pantry

HEDGEROWS

The hedgerows are filling up with lots of natures goodies which will be very tempting to pick in a few weeks time. The Blackberries especially.  I have noticed that our Sloe bushes are very full this year, especially on the new hedges which we planted a five of years ago. The sloe bush is better known as Blackthorn.

But it is also worth reminding children not to pick berries without supervision, this was highlighted to me on Sunday afternoon when I was running a few miles from the farm . A very bright and tempting dark purple berry , it was so vivid that alarm bells always ring, but even though I thought it was deadly nightshade, this was on a large bush and not like the pictures I had seen  as a child. My parents would drum into us on walks the rules of poisonous plants in the hedgerows.

I went back in the car and very carefully took a cutting—Yes it was deadly night shade which is a very poisonous plant. So tonight I will be back with my spade, as it is on the path to Tadcaster Grammer school!