Agarita Berries

The Agarita Berries began to turn colors and i noticed that the berries inside the dog run had significantly less beetles on them in comparison to the other bushes on the property. I soon realized why. Cashew was eating the beetles that were attempting to eat the berries. I hoped for her sake that they were not poisonous. It would be too hot for the dogs to stay outside in the summer. However, i left them in the dog run while i was at work throughout most of Spring. This meant none of the berries had bug holes in them yet.

I waited until the berries were nice and red. Then i began picking and eating a few of them every night. I did not harvest a batch of them this year. Instead, i just took what i could pick each night and ate it on the spot while picking. There were plenty berries that went to waste this year but i dont see it that way. I see it as only taking my share and leaving some for the birds and beetles to have as well.

I didnt have time to pick all of the berries that were present and when i had picked all of the sumac during previous years, i had damaged the tree and had to commit to leaving it untouched for two years while i let it recover from taking too many leaf clusters and berries from a very young tree during harvest and overwhelming its fragile health.

My coworkers spoke of attempting to make jelly or preserves with theirs. I wondered why they would ruin something that was exquisite on its own, without sugar and gelatin. i told my coworker to just taste a handful on their own. He refused. He seemed to think these little red berries were only rendered edible when combined with copious amounts of sugar. I continued to wash my hands in the evenings, pick the berries, and eat them each time i accumulated a handful. They were just fine straight off the bush and required no added ingredients in my opinion.