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Berry Nice Bonanza Indeed!

Amazing! Spent two fabulous weeks in Devon this summer and armed with my coastal foragers book I was looking forward to discovering the plethora of plants not usually available to the city dweller. High on that list was Sea Buckthorn and Sea Holly. Sea Buckthorn remained elusive but I did find a substantial horde of Sea Holly (needless to say due to it's status and the fact that it's the roots that are edible I opted to take only pictures, albeit ridiculously, excitedly!). Anyway, a couple of weeks ago I was out walking in inner city Leeds and lo and behold I stumbled across a healthy and berry loaded Sea Buckthorn tree. Two days later I returned harvested a modest crop of the berries (which smell absolutely divine) and from which I have since made a very fine jelly indeed. Since then, I have discovered in excess of ten Sea Buckthorn trees but they are far too close to a very major road to tempt me into picking/eating. Amazing that a tree associated with the coast is in Leeds and apparently thriving! Aside from the Sea Buckthorn tree this year is proving to be a great year for berry harvesting and amongst one of my favourites is the Guelder Rose which when blended with wild apples and sugar produces a fabulous jelly (not bad considering it's revolting taste in raw state and odour that is only slightly less off putting). Elderberries are in proliferation also, have produced some very fine cordial to last through the winter months, just need enough now to get a Elderbery/Blackberry wine on the go and an Elderberry/Runner Bean wine (both of which are superb and will give any shop bought £10-£15 wines a run for their money). Happy harvesting! C
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  1. Anonymous10 October 2013 at 17:29

    Sea Buckthorn is quite commonly planted now by councils as a roadside shrub which makes it easier to find in town but like you say all to often too close to the road.

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