Thursday, April 2, 2015

Blackberry Winter

Winter lasts maybe three to four weeks in Georgia. It is just that the days are not consecutive. We usually have our first freeze close to Thanksgiving. We might have a succession of about 5 days with lows in the twenties (about -10 Celsius) during December. The same thing occurs in January and maybe in February.

In March, it dips into the thirties (about 0 Celsius) at night is about as low as it goes. Weather patterns cycle and really are related to Pacific Ocean Currents called El Nino and La Nina. This year is a cool late spring called Blackberry Winter.

Blackberry winter is actually the last frost of the year which occurs near the end of March. When we get a snow in central Georgia, it usually happens in February and sometimes March. We get snow approximately every ten years. The Appalachian mountains block most cold air masses needed to produce snow.

I pick the wild blackberries every year. Perhaps a fruit bowl for everyone. Some years, I make jam. What I like the most is picking the berries. The adventure of going with my mom, brothers and dog still walk with me into the briar patch. I leave a few stray bushes close to the house. Mom trained all the chihuahuas to pick berries last year.

I like the phrase blackberry winter. It brings memories of my dad and his stories. He loved language and could belt out a rhyme anytime he felt.

Blackberry Blossoms
Ripe Blackberries

13 comments:

  1. Lovely post with awesome pictures.
    Yvonne.

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  2. Never knew they had such a saying. We used to pick a ton of berries in my grandparents backyard

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    1. It's good I didn't google blackberries. I think they grow all over the world.

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  3. Interesting to hear about your weather. I love picking berries too. We used to do as kids, along the fence rows. We'd end up with lots of scratches and poison ivy.

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    1. Poison Ivy does grow well with berries. I am always on the look out when I am picking.

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  4. I love blackberries! These photos get me so excited for summer :)

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    1. It is so hot here. When I worked, I always taught summer school. The heat and I do not get along.

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  5. I love your posts, love Armadillos and blackberries. Lived in Georgia for a while and it was the most beautiful Fall ever. #Blogging from A-Z swinging by to meet and greet. I am 471 and 472 in the long list, with MOVIES & What's in a NAME Hope you swing by to 4covert2overt and Defining Ways. Hope to meet up everywhere @M_C_V_Egan
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  6. Blackberries are the best. I wish I had bushes in my yard. I just have black walnut. The squirrels cleared them out for me all winter.

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    1. Black Walnut sounds pretty good. They are a lot of work to hull. I've got several neglected Pecan trees. There is just not enough time. This year I plan to do better. I didn't realise I used nuts as much as I do since I have had to purchase them.

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  7. Thanks for stopping by my blog. We had wild blackberries growing along the side of the road - I would send my kids down with bowls to pick them and then I made pies! But the DOT came by and mowed them all down and they didn't regrow. Darn. I need to plant some but I wonder if the deer would like them?

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  8. Oh my goodness. I am amazed at how we can both live in the same country and have such different Winters. I would be jealous at how beautiful Georgia sounds, but have years without snow...I would miss it so much. As much as we complain about our frigid Winters in the North, I still do really love the snow. I guess the snow is like my blackberries. So many memories :)

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