Turtles and Blackberries

This time of year you have to be really careful to watch for turtles on the roads. They are attracted to the nice warm pavement and get squished if you aren't paying attention. I saw a nice young man helping a large water turtle across the street when we were going to get groceries the other day.

The photo above is a three-toed box turtle which are pretty common here. This was taken early in the morning as you can still see the dew on the grass and the turtle. When you're mowing the yard, try to keep a look out for them.

Our wild blackberries are producing lots of berries this year. We had a dry spring last year which produced very few blackberries for us. They are just now starting to turn pink.

Blackberries are best harvested when they have turned a dull purple color. You have to get to them before the birds do though, so timing is critical. If you pick them too early, they will still be bitter.

The berries can be gathered and eaten fresh, made into smoothies or juice, and frozen for use later. You can also ferment them into a wine or preserve as a jelly.

Thanks for reading my brief update on the homestead. If I get enough berries this year I will make a how to on homemade wild blackberry wine!