Dysfunctional Planner

I spotted a distinctive tree in at the back of my allotment on nomads land. I asked Gavin’s dad and his Aunt if it was in fact a beautiful elder tree and they confirmed it was. Side note: in the Uk there are no other trees that look like the elder tree so that’s reassuring to know.

I found a recipe from RiverCottage ( I will link below) and set about picking the flowers. They were small and hard to get to but I persevered and collected enough to make a cordial. I ended up collected 30 heads to make up for the smaller ones.

When collecting it is really important not to stripe a tree of all its flowers otherwise there won’t be any berries late on.

I collected them, let them sit for a few hour to let any wee beasties escape then I rinsed them and inspected each flower head. I did find a few small fly which I popped outside ( because I am a terrible gardener and I can’t kill any bugs especially when I am taking their food source).

Then I let them soak overnight and the smell of my kitchen in the morning was heavenly. Elderflower is one of my favourite flavours.

It made enough for two bottles so one went straight in the freezer the other is in my fridge doors when me and Gavin fancy a nice elderflower gin. I still need to sieve it but it is sweet and fresh and made by me so it’s lovely.

I am posting this blog far to late as it’s now almost elderberry season in which I am going to collect and make a pure elderberry gin.

I have been finding lots of joy from eating from my garden, my courgettes and blackberries are now in bloom. I picked lots of prickly green alkanet flowers to add to drinks.

By cutting back all the brambles my apples have now got a rosey glow to them and I look forward to harvesting them at the end of the summer. I made a blackberry syrup to make a bramble cocktail.