With visits to the plot being few and far between due to the rain we have had to make the decision about whether to weed or harvest. There isn't really any competition is there ?- You have to harvest the things that have managed to crop against all odds but it is difficult to have to leave the weeds to their efforts at taking over beds that it seems only a day or so ago were tidy and weedless. Some young plants are really in need of some relief from the strangling weeds.
My first attempt at harvesting redcurrants was interrupted by heavy rain and guess what stopped me harvesting at my second attempt - yes heavy rain. This time I did manage to gather a few punnets before I had to scramble from under the netting to take refuge in the shed!
I was obviously being watched as I gathered as many currants as I could. Once I was safely out of the way sheltering in the shed a song thrush arrived with one of its young. It seemed to be trying to figure out how something as large as me (compared to the song thrush that is) had managed to find a way under the netting when it couldn't.
They didn't stay around for long - in the pouring rain - I bet the birds are as fed up of this weather as we are!
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The Song Thrush was no doubt eyeing-up your punnets of redcurrants as a potential "Ready Meal". Picking currants is a bit laborious, isn't it? Not something you really want to do in a hurry.
ReplyDeletePicking the reds isn't as bad as the blacks, Mark - at least you can strip of sprigs of reds whereas with blacks it's individual currants.
DeleteWhat do you plan to do with the redcurrants - make jam/jelly? They look delicious by the way :P
ReplyDeleteNo we don't make jams or jellies as they have too much sugar for our liking. We make fruit compote which uses less sugar and then freeze it to use with yoghurt - porridge etc. I've also used redcurrants in cheesecakes and in fruir salad. I'm also thinking they could go in muffins as a blueberry substitute
DeleteYour weather does seem ridiculously wet this year. Those red currants look lovely though.
ReplyDeleteRidiculous is putting it mildly Liz. All down to the jet stream being further south than it should be. We've gone from one extreme last year - no rain to this year - no dry!
DeleteThe weeds are certainly enjoying this weather. I just wish all the slugs and snails which the rain has brought out would eat the weeds with as much gusto as they do our plants. Didn't you share your harvest with the thrushes?
ReplyDeleteSlugs and snails genetically modified to eat weeds - now that is a good idea, Jo
DeleteI would definitely go with harvest though to be honest I haven't managed either of late and desperately need to get some work done....I know the weeds are going to be incredibly frightening!!
ReplyDeleteYes the weeds are intimidating Tanya - we just need a few sunny days to dry things out a bit them we can go like crazy to pull them all out. At the moment most would come out in a large ball of muc!
DeleteThey look so red and juicy. What you prepare with them? juices?
ReplyDeleteRain really make us down! ;)
We cook them with a little sugar as we can get away with and then freeze the resulting compote Malar. Then we mostly use it to make fruit yoghurt or on porridge. Picking the berries off the stems is a very sticky job.
DeleteLucky you to have your redcurrants already - mine are not quite there yet - and there aren't any where near as many as previous years.
ReplyDeleteOurs haven't produced as much fruit this year, Elaine. We have about six very mature bushes that we inherited with the plot so usually have loads and are giving lots away - to people and birds! This year there doesn't appear to be long strings as there usually are but short bunches which take longer to pick. We usually pick off the strings to destring later.
DeleteIt's so dispiriting isn't it! My plot looked so tidy a couple of months ago, but it's impossible to hoe the soggy ground so it takes much longer to weed. I'm being over-run with chick weed again :(
ReplyDeleteChickweed is a nuisance Debbie - as is goosegrass/cleavers/sticky willy or whatever you want to call it!
DeleteRedcurrants always seem so luxurious and gourmet-ish - like little jewels.
ReplyDeleteI picked another three punnets today Linda - now the boring job of stripping them off the strings.
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