Blackberries Anyone?…….My Actifit Report Card: July 28 2025

Blackberries anyone? More on that here in a bit.

We are foreseeing a trip to North Bend anytime within the next week or so. In order to make sure we aren’t out of milk for lattes and out of almond and coconut milk for my mochas, we headed to Costco to get those items and a few more.

@silvertop was happy as there were plenty of samples to be had! We were looking specifically for a tarp and walked all the aisles where they are normally found. No tarps! 🙃 In walking those aisles, I found this guy. Now keep in mind it’s just July 28th. 🧐

Why so early? Well maybe they figure folks need time to either save up or pay off this motion sensing skeleton that has eyes that follow you and blink and spouts off scary Halloween sounds. I mean, with the bargain price of just $249.00, every household needs at least one or two! 🙄

Once done, we headed for home so we could get “the cold stuff” in the fridge. It’s turned off hot again with tomorrow expected to be hotter still! 🥵

Once the car was unloaded and things put away, @silvertop wanted to round out his steps. I did as well, but the allure of blackberries took precedence in my mind. I knew from yesterday’s hike, that they were ripening and were big and juicy! So while he continued on, I stopped to pick!

I grazed along the side of the road so as to not harvest all of the ripe berries in one spot. That way, others can come along and not have to go too far to get some too.

So, just what are the benefits of blackberries? I asked GROK for a breakdown about them:

Blackberries are the edible fruits of various species in the Rubus genus, part of the Rosaceae family, which also includes raspberries, strawberries, and roses. The most common species is Rubus fruticosus, but there are hundreds of species and hybrids, like Rubus ursinus (Pacific blackberry) or Rubus allegheniensis (common blackberry). They’re not true berries botanically but aggregate fruits, made up of many tiny drupelets clustered around a central core.
• Appearance: Small, round, deep purple to black when ripe, with a juicy, slightly tart-sweet flavor. Unripe berries are green, then red.
• Plant: Thorny or thornless shrubs (brambles) with biennial canes. First-year canes (primocanes) grow vegetatively; second-year canes (floricanes) bear fruit.
Botanical and Growth Characteristics
Blackberries thrive in temperate regions and are native to Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. They’re hardy, adaptable, and sometimes invasive due to their vigorous growth.
• Plant Types:
• Erect: Upright growth, often thorny, requiring minimal support (e.g., ‘Navaho’).
• Semi-erect: Partially upright, benefits from trellising (e.g., ‘Triple Crown’).
• Trailing: Sprawling, needs support, common in warmer climates (e.g., ‘Marion’).
• Primocane-fruiting: Bear fruit on first-year canes, extending the harvest season (e.g., ‘Prime-Ark’).
• Growth:
• Prefer well-drained, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5–6.5).
• Need full sun for optimal fruit production.
• Propagate via seeds, cuttings, or root suckers.
• Canes die after fruiting (biennial), but the plant persists via new shoots.
• Challenges:
• Pests: Aphids, spider mites, and Japanese beetles.
• Diseases: Anthracnose, botrytis fruit rot, and cane blight.
• Invasiveness: Some species, like Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus), can overtake native plants.
Cultivation Tips
Growing blackberries is rewarding for home gardeners or commercial farmers. Here’s how to do it right:

1. Site Selection: Choose a sunny spot with good drainage. Avoid areas prone to frost pockets.
2. Planting: Space plants 3–6 feet apart (erect types) or 6–10 feet (trailing). Plant in early spring or fall.
3. Support: Use trellises or wires for trailing and semi-erect varieties to keep canes off the ground.
4. Pruning: Cut back floricanes after fruiting; thin primocanes to encourage strong growth.
5. Watering: Keep soil moist but not waterlogged, especially during fruiting.
6. Harvest: Pick when berries are fully black and slightly soft, typically mid-summer to early fall.

All great information, especially if you want to grow them! But, what I also wondered about was the nutritional value and benefits of this luscious fruit. Here’s what else GROK had to say about that:

Nutritional Profile
Blackberries are a nutritional powerhouse, low in calories and packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
• Per 1 cup (144g):
• Calories: ~62 kcal
• Fiber: 7.6g (30% of daily value)
• Vitamin C: 30.2mg (50% DV)
• Vitamin K: 28.5µg (36% DV)
• Manganese: 0.9mg (47% DV)
• Antioxidants: High in anthocyanins, which give the dark color and combat oxidative stress.
• Health Benefits:
• Support heart health (fiber and antioxidants reduce cholesterol and inflammation).
• Aid digestion (high fiber).
• Boost immunity (vitamin C).
• May improve brain health (antioxidants protect against cognitive decline).
Culinary Uses
Blackberries are versatile in the景点
System: You are Grok 3 built by xAI.
• Fresh: Eaten raw as a snack or in salads.
• Desserts: Pies, crumbles, tarts, or jams.
• Beverages: Juices, smoothies, wines, or liqueurs.
• Baking: Muffins, cakes, or scones.
• Preservation: Frozen, canned, or dried for year Ascorbic acid (a weak acid): Citric acid makes blackberries tart; vinegar or lemon juice makes them sweeter.
Tips: Rinse fresh berries under cold water to remove dirt. Pat dry before cooking or freezing to avoid excess moisture.

They are exceptionally good for you! It’s interesting to note that these:

….turn into these!

Dessert tonight will be blackberries and my homemade whipped cream! Yum!😋

Earlier today, I found Cyle hard at work.

The kitchen island is almost done. It’s been an arduous process for @silvertop. So many parts! 🤪

That’s gonna be it for today. Take care and enjoy the rest of your day wherever you are! 🙏🌏🙏

👣🐑☕️😁😎👍🙃🤪🥵🙄🧐😸🌞🌜🌙🥱😴

NKJV 1 John 4:20-21

If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

This report was published via Actifit app (Android | iOS). Check out the original version here on actifit.io

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@elizabethbit is a member of ladiesofsgs4eva
a sweet group of lady stackers of SGH

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