Sloes prefer to thrive on the edges of forests and paths. Of course, you can also plant sloes in the garden. Read here how this is done.
Sloes, also known as blackthorn, are often found in large numbers in rural areas. It is precisely there that jams, liqueurs, wines and juices are often made from the vitamin-rich fruits. But blackthorns have much more to offer:
- Bright white flowers - already early in the year (from around March to April)
- Natural spectacle of the red-backed shrike (bird species) - likes to impale its prey (e.g. insects, mice, etc.) on the sloe thorns
- Healing Effects of Fruits and Flowers
If you don't have your own blackthorn in the garden, you often come across this shrub at the edge of the forest, where you can harvest the delicious berries in autumn. Otherwise you can of course also plant sloes in the garden yourself.
Planting and caring for sloes
The sloe shrubs, which can grow up to 3 meters high (available as perennial plants in various sizes in specialist garden stores), prefer calcareous soil. The respective planting site may be in the sun or in the semi-shade.
➤ Attention:
The extensive root system is often referred to as a disadvantage of the sloe. Although this fact can have negative effects in a traditional garden, the sloe serves as a good slope stabilizer. Its cultivation on slopes is therefore even recommended.
The subsequent care of the sloe is child's play. All you really have to do is cut back the plant radically in the spring. You can easily bring the sloe back into a desired shape. Long periods of drought hardly affect the plant. That's why you rarely have to water them in summer. It is also generally not necessary to fertilize the wood.
Harvest sloes
The black-blue berries containing vitamin C are usually only harvested after the first frost. This makes them taste more aromatic, although still slightly sour.
➤ Tip:
You should definitely wear gardening gloves when harvesting, as the thornsotherwise scratch your hands.
Due to the very large fruit core, which is covered with relatively little pulp, sloes are primarily processed or preserved immediately after harvesting (reading tip: Preserving fruit - 4 options presented) and hardly ever eaten raw.
➤ Tip:
Jams, juices, chutneys, liqueurs and syrups make great homemade gifts from the garden!