Myself and my wife went out blackberry picking at the patch we go to every year. Its a fairly large patch that usually is picked over fairly well but still offers good pickings.
Here's the patch above. It was picked over but not to the same degree as years past. In 90-120 minutes we had picked several containers full; about 6 to 8 liters. Pretty good considering the cost of them in stores. Especially since there are so many patches in and around Victoria waiting for people.
There's my wife doing some picking. Proper attire is important. Sunscreen, a wide hat, old pants and shirt are some of the items needed to do serious picking. We also bring a footstool and ladder as well as gardening gloves and hand shears but this year only the footstool was needed.
The berries to pick are of course the purple-black ones. They will also have more bulbous globules. The really nice ones that are almost bursting taste like the sun when you eat them as you are picking, which is a must. About one in every 20 to 30 berries. Also just give them a slight twist and pull to see if they are ripe. If they pop off then they are good. If not, leave them on the tree for the next person or animal or insect. You have to be careful of handling them too much or they will smooch in your hand easily.
My wife made a peach and blackberry pie with ours and also froze them for enjoyment in the winter. She learned that placing them on a cookie sheet in a layer and putting it in the freezer will allow the berries to freeze separately. Then after a while you put them in a container and into the freezer till you want them.
Also expect some scratches on your hands and legs. Its a small price to pay for great tasting fruit.
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