Long grass, once perfect for a game of hide and seek, has been cut and lined up in neat rows to tempt young feet and hands into undoing a farmer’s hard work. The warm evening sun dresses the sky with a colour palate that only Mother Nature would ever look good in, and insects hum quietly in hedge rows as purpled fingers probe prickled brambles for juicy berries.

Some of my fondest memories are set during sunny evenings with family and friends filling our bags or buckets with blackberries, but gone are the days when I would return home with more than I could consume in one sitting. My youthful exuberance when faced with a glut of plump blackberries blinded me to the fact that other creatures depend on them for survival.

Leave the main crop for local wildlife
Since human survival amounts to a quick trip to the corner shop, I now only take a couple of handfuls as a little treat while walking the dog. If you do require a large harvest for wine making and such, I encourage you to pick as early in the season as possible (any time from this point onward) leaving the main crop for local wildlife to consume later in the year during the run up to winter.

The best way to make use of a small quantity (besides putting them into a crumble) is to mash them up and pack into ice cube trays to add a fruity twist to carbonated beverages. They are rich in vitamin C and vitamin K, a good source of fibre and a really easy way of getting fruit into the tums of even the most devout junk food juvenile.

But let's face it, blackberry picking is all about the experience – an excuse to get the family out for the day.

If you’re not 100% sure that the plant you’re picking is safe for human consumption, don’t pick it. If you’re prone to food allergies, or pregnant, always seek medical advice before consuming anything foraged in the wild.