Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 12

Thread: Elderberries!

  1. #1
    Senior Member CathyA's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    9,116

    Elderberries!

    I love elderberries. I used to make elderberry jelly, but now I just make the syrup, which is good on things like yogurt, ice cream.
    Even though the heavy rain and cooler temps has seemed to slow my garden down quite a bit, everything on our 33 acres has loved it. It's a jungle out there!
    The elderberry bushes have gone crazy this year. YAY! Now, if I can just beat the birds to the ripe berries, I'll have syrup.
    Here's a pic of one that has taken over a small area in our back yard.

    IMG_1836.jpg

  2. #2
    Senior Member iris lilies's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Always logged in
    Posts
    25,383
    DH has his eye on several elderberry bushes along the road in Hermann. He plans to make something, probably syrup.

  3. #3
    Senior Member herbgeek's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    New England
    Posts
    2,718
    I've planted 3 over the years, one is struggling and two have outright died. I did have a couple of years of good harvests before the two shrubs died. I'm guessing they need more sun than they are getting.

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    6,248
    Hurry! I had a beautiful cherry tree and every year the birds got them all. I hope you get a lot of berries

  5. #5
    Senior Member CathyA's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    9,116
    When I was younger (20's), and living in an apartment/rental house, I would go along the railroad tracks, where the elderberries grew like crazy, and pick those. Later, I realized that they probably sprayed heavily along the rail line.
    Oh well.......I'm still here. haha

    I'm not sure how much sun they need. On one of my cart rides through our field and woods, I'll notice more if they grow in the shade too.
    I always found it curious that the birds would eat the green berries. Sometimes they do leave a few for me, fortunately.

    I used to try to pull each berry off, but now I clip off the big end branch of the berries. I shake out bugs, then rinse them with water in a big container. I cut the biggest parts of the stems off and put them just like that in a big pot. I heat them up and and press on them. I can't remember if I add a little water. I keep the lid on so they get steamed. Then I pull them all out after they've all wilted and put them into a cheesecloth and let it drip into the pot. They say you shouldn't squeeze the bag because it will make the juice cloudy........but I go ahead and squeeze it a bit. Then I take that syrup and add some sugar and cook it down a bit.

    It's not a flavor that everyone likes, but I sure do!

  6. #6
    Senior Member razz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    8,169
    Elderberry pies at local community fundraisers go quickly. A friend cuts off the big spray of berries, rinses and then freezes it all. In the winter, she defrosts on a very cold or housebound day and makes her jams which she gives as gifts which are well-received.
    As Cicero said, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.”

  7. #7
    Senior Member CathyA's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    9,116
    Hmmm.....never thought of freezing them like that.
    My mother made an elderberry pie when I was young, but it wasn't a big hit. Too many seeds in them thar berries!

  8. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Posts
    5,037
    Dry some too to make tea in the winter or use fresh (or dried) to make a tincture. Elderberries have medicinal powers to reduce or eliminate colds and flu.... a winter MUST-HAVE!!!

  9. #9
    Senior Member CathyA's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    9,116
    frugal-one.....thanks for that suggestion.

  10. #10
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Price County, WI
    Posts
    1,789
    Yesterday I went for a 17-mile bike ride on forest trails in Vilas County. I made mental note of locations where I saw the inflorescences of elderberries. Must return to those spots with a basket in the fullness of time!



    i

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •