Harvesting Tips

When we go out to pick fruit, it’s important to do so responsibly and with care.

That means keeping ourselves safe, respecting the trees and bushes, and making sure there’s enough left for others and for wildlife too.

Picking fruit gently, only when it’s ripe, and taking just what you need helps keep our green spaces healthy and welcoming for everyone to enjoy.

When is fruit ready to pick?

Fruit is generally ripe and ready to pick when it comes away from the tree easily. Lifting the fruit and gently twisting a ripe fruit should lead to it falling into your hand, without a lot of tugging or pulling. If it’s not coming away easily, leave it on the bush or plant for a bit longer.

Picking safely

Fruit picking is at your own risk. Be aware of hazards such as uneven ground, stinging insects, and stinging plants such as nettles.

Only pick food that you are 100% confident is edible or that a trusted person has shown you.

Fruit can be picked up from the ground but like all foraged fruit, it should be washed thoroughly with bruised or damaged parts cut out and thrown away.

Picking responsibly

Please do not damage the trees and bushes, especially when harvesting. Avoid pulling branches too far down.

Take only what you need and can use so there is plenty for the community and wildlife to share.

Our Fruits

Apples

Apples

Crisp, juicy and versatile, apples are a favourite autumn fruit. Varieties like James Grieve, Cox’s Orange Pippin and Elstar offer flavours perfect for eating fresh, cooking or juicing.

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Blackberries

Blackberries

Common in hedgerows, blackberries ripen from August to October. Their sweet-tart flavour suits pies, jams and puddings, while providing fibre, vitamin C and antioxidants for seasonal health.

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Blackcurrants

Blackcurrants

Deep purple Ben Lomond blackcurrants are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. Their tart flavour really comes through in jams, pies and juices, harvested from midsummer into August.

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Cherries

Cherries

These Large, dark-red Stella cherries are self-fertile, sweet and juicy. Harvested in late July, they’re wonderful eaten fresh, baked into delicious pies, or preserved for summer treats.

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Damson & Plums

Damson & Plums

Sweet plums and tart damsons on our route ripen in summer, perfect for eating fresh or cooking into jams, crumbles and gins. Both Damson & Plums offer heavy crops and rich flavour.

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Pear Conference

Pear Conference

Britain’s favourite pear, Conference produces reliable crops even in cooler, shadier spots. Its juicy, aromatic fruit ripens in September, delicious eaten fresh or cooked into desserts.

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Quince

Quince

These beautifully Golden quinces ripen in autumn with a sweet floral aroma. Though too hard to eat raw, they transform beautifully when cooked into jams, stews and jellies.

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Raspberries

Raspberries

Summer-fruiting Malling Jewel raspberries are vibrant red with a sharp-sweet flavour. Harvested in July, they’re perfect fresh, frozen, or cooked into jams, desserts and summer dishes.

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