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Sloes or plums?

TheRicksterTheRickster Posts: 85
edited August 2019 in Fruit & veg
Discovered these at the bottom of the parents garden, but can’t decide what they are. A definitive answer would be appreciated! Cheers ;)
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  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    A quick taste test will soon let you know - sweet=plum, astringent=sloe. Look like plums or possibly damsons to me though.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I think they’re damsons. 

    Damson pie, damson jam, damson cheese, damson Gin ....yum😋

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    ...and no thorns, so not sloes  :)

    Foliage is different too, but it can be tricky if you have nothing to compare it with.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Hortum-cretaeHortum-cretae Posts: 979
    Size is a defining feature,too. Sloes are barely half an inch across, absolute max.  But, as Steephill says, the taste of sloes (until they're in gin) is almost impossible to describe. Put one in your mouth and bite it. If it feels like the inside of your mouth is falling off dry, then it's a sloe. They're also not anywhere near ripe until late September earliest and usually after a frost in October. I picked a full bucket one year in early December - they were in perfect condition and went into several litres of gin.
    H-C
  • Hortum-cretaeHortum-cretae Posts: 979
    From the photo, I think they're a wild plum, like a bullace and lovely for jam or even wine. 
    H-C
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Unless you live further north @Hortum-cretae - my sloes are almost fully ripe now. 
    All berries ripen a bit sooner here  :)

    I keep trying to give mine away to anyone that wants them for gin, but the birds eat them too, so it's not really a heartache. I planted the hedge for wildlife   ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Hortum-cretaeHortum-cretae Posts: 979
    Ah, I'm in the soft middle of Hampshire and stuff's still growing apace here. Just taken more salvia cuttings and the first lot three weeks back are rooted already. Sloes are at least a month off, but my gin will be waiting.  
    H-C
  • cassie.a.stewartcassie.a.stewart Posts: 279
    Fairygirl said:
    Unless you live further north @Hortum-cretae - my sloes are almost fully ripe now. 
    All berries ripen a bit sooner here  :)

    I keep trying to give mine away to anyone that wants them for gin, but the birds eat them too, so it's not really a heartache. I planted the hedge for wildlife   ;)
    You could always dry/dehydrate whatever you dont want, that way they'll keep for a lot longer and you can still use them for gin!

    Theres hardly any sloes round here, infact I've never seen one, and I havent the room to grow one! Which makes me sad as I love a good ole Blackthorn! 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I don't drink so they're no use to me  :)

    @Hortum-cretae - I could send you some, but they might not travel too well  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • cassie.a.stewartcassie.a.stewart Posts: 279
    Fairygirl said:
    I don't drink so they're no use to me  :)

    @Hortum-cretae - I could send you some, but they might not travel too well  ;)
    Nor me but they're good for making incense! 
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