Is there anything better than picking blackberries on a warm late summer day? In our little family, it’s one of the best days of the year – and one we often bring up in our conversations. Because there is something truly special about blackberry picking: not only because we are together as a family, but also because we get to spend time in (often) very beautiful nature. Late summer days have their own unique magic; the sun sits a little lower in the sky, the air is often gentler and softer than in spring, and yes – the occasion feels almost like a ribbon tying summer together in the warmest, coziest way.
Where can you find wild blackberries?
We have blackberries in our garden and close to where we live, but often (and preferably) we drive to Mols, where we can find wild blackberries that taste heavenly.
But if you don’t have blackberries in your garden or live near Mols, don’t despair! You can still easily find wild blackberries. They grow naturally in many places across Denmark! Some blackberry varieties thrive in dry, sunny areas – for example at forest edges, thickets, hedgerows, and along the coast. Others grow well in more humid environments. So it’s just about heading out into nature at the right time of year.
But when can you pick your blackberries?
Blackberries bloom with their delicate white flowers from June to August, and you may already be lucky enough to pick the first ripe berries by late August. After that, you can harvest them throughout September – and occasionally even into October.
Tips for picking blackberries
Blackberries are full of thorns, and it’s easy to get scratched while hunting for the best berries. Make sure to wear sturdy shoes (no flip-flops), long pants, and long-sleeved tops to avoid the worst scratches. If you’re picking blackberries with children, it’s a good idea to bring some band-aids so that the experience remains fun and safe for everyone.
Blackberries are at their best when they are completely shiny and black and come off the stem easily. If they’re still a bit red, they aren’t fully ripe yet.
It’s also a great idea to bring a basket to store your freshly picked blackberries. You can also use bowls – preferably wide ones – so the berries don’t get crushed or squashed on the way home.
General rules for picking blackberries
As long as you are in Danish state forests, you may pick blackberries for personal use anywhere (about as much as you can fit in a bag). If you are in a privately owned forest, you may only pick the berries that are within reach from paths and roads. Be aware, however, of whether the blackberries may have been exposed to car exhaust or pesticides from nearby fields.
How to use your picked blackberries
You can eat your blackberries straight from the bush, but they can also be stored for a few days. Blackberries are great for baking – for example, in pies and muffins – or for making smoothies, or you can preserve them as jam. If you’ve also picked blackberry leaves, you can dry them and use them for tea. Crushing the leaves slightly before pouring boiling water over them helps release their aroma. And of course, blackberries are fantastic on a warm pancake.
Any blackberries you don’t use can be frozen – preferably right away. To prevent them from freezing into one large clump, spread them out on a tray and freeze for about a day (this does require some freezer space). After a day, you can collect them into a bag and freeze them without them sticking together.
Picking blackberries in National Park Mols Bjerge
When you go to National Park Mols Bjerge to pick blackberries, you can find the best berries, free from traffic fumes or other pollution. If you arrive at the right time, the blackberries can be large, plump, and full of flavor – especially the first berries of the season. It’s a good idea to move away from the roads, as dust from the sand can settle on the berries.
It’s more the rule than the exception that we encounter animals while in Mols Bjerge, as wild horses, cattle, and sheep graze across the hills. Some of them also roam where we want to pick our blackberries. Sometimes the large cows (especially the bulls) can be a bit intimidating, but we keep a safe distance and try to remain as unobtrusive as possible.
As a child, I often ran barefoot through the hills. My mother would probably be glad she didn’t know back then. There are adders in Mols, but I’ve only come across one a few times. Today, however, I prefer wearing shoes – partly because I can walk farther in them, but also because they provide protection when picking blackberries or walking in areas scattered with pinecones and stones.
There is always something to experience, both in big and small adventures in nature. Picking blackberries on a late summer day in Mols is certainly one of them. Enjoy!
Links you might find useful
Where to find National Park Mols Bjerge
