When to Pick Sloe Berries?

When should sloes be picked? Sloes should be picked when ripe and rich dark blue-purple in colour, and can be squashed. Some may have already fallen to the ground naturally. Traditionally sloes shouldn't be picked until after the first frost, as it's thought the frost splits the skin.

What month do you pick sloes?

The blackthorn produces these small, damson-like fruits across the bush and are most ripe after the first frost of winter. Blackthorns blossom between March and April and yield fruit from August to November - but it is advised to wait until later in the season to pick the best sloes.

How do you know when sloes are ready to pick?

For the best flavour, wait until the berries are ripe. They should be a rich dark purple and should squash easily between your fingertips. It's a good sign if they've already started to drop naturally to the ground. If you're picking them for sloe gin then traditionally you wait until after the first frost.