Dandelions and Blackberries (Lawrenceville: live in, eat, farmers market)

[ML North]

Strange question, well two actually.

First, for the last few years I've been wanting to make some dandelion wine. I live in the War Streets where there's no grass, so I'm looking for a good place where I can find a lot of dandelions and not have to worry about them being blasted with fertilizer and dog crap. I was thinking maybe somewhere in Frick Park or Schenley Park?

In trying to think of a good place to pick dandelions, I started thinking about blackberries. As a kid, I used to go with my dad to pick buckets of blackberries to use for pies, fruit salad, or desserts. I figured it might be fun to try making some blackberry jug wine. Any ideas?

[I_Like_Spam]

Its a little early for blackberries of course, but I know there are a couple of trees in Eden Way here in L'ville.

For dandelions, maybe take a ride up into the Allegheny Cemetery. The large lawn sections are on the Mossfield Blvd. side of the property.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by ML North

In trying to think of a good place to pick dandelions, I started thinking about blackberries. As a kid, I used to go with my dad to pick buckets of blackberries to use for pies, fruit salad, or desserts. I figured it might be fun to try making some blackberry jug wine. Any ideas?

Not quite right, but along the Allegheny Trail on the north side, there are a buttload of Mulberry trees. Go the right time of year, and you'll have plenty. I can't see why you couldn't use them for wine.

[greg42]

Originally Posted by ML North

I'm looking for a good place where I can find a lot of dandelions and not have to worry about them being blasted with fertilizer and dog crap.

My yard.

[XRiteMA98]

Originally Posted by eschaton

Not quite right, but along the Allegheny Trail on the north side, there are a buttload of Mulberry trees. Go the right time of year, and you'll have plenty. I can't see why you couldn't use them for wine.

Thanks for the mulberry trees tip. I don;t try to make any wine just pick them up and eat them. I don;t understand why they are not considered fruits in USA. In Turkey they are sold in plastic containers in the farmers market pretty much like raspberies and strawberiies here. And as a child I spent endless summer days climbing up the mulberry trees in my aunt's yeard and eating them up. They were so sweet. of course my aunt had to rub lemon on my hands and clothes to get the stains out, but those fruits are full of vitamin C. tahnks for the tip. now i know where to find them

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by XRiteMA98

Thanks for the mulberry trees tip. I don;t try to make any wine just pick them up and eat them. I don;t understand why they are not considered fruits in USA. In Turkey they are sold in plastic containers in the farmers market pretty much like raspberies and strawberiies here. And as a child I spent endless summer days climbing up the mulberry trees in my aunt's yeard and eating them up. They were so sweet. of course my aunt had to rub lemon on my hands and clothes to get the stains out, but those fruits are full of vitamin C. tahnks for the tip. now i know where to find them

Well, it's quite a pain trying to harvest them from the taller trees. I know of a couple in Lawrenceville along the river, and one in Arsenal park, but they're so huge that you don't have a chance to harvest any fruit.

The ones along the Northside Trail are different though. A lot look to have been planted pretty recently, and are no more than 12 feet tall or so, meaning a lot of fruit is within easy picking range.

I also like biking there in the summer to pick up staghorn sumac. Easy to find, and makes a great lemonade-like drink when sweetened.

[ML North]

Thanks for the tips everyone. I'll be scoping out some locations.

I knew someone was going to make that joke, Greg. haha.