What to record in July - bramble first ripe fruit

Have you spotted any ripe blackberries yet this year? July is the month to start looking.

When do blackberries ripen?

Blackberries in the UK start to ripen between mid-July and early September according to the last 10 years of Nature's Calendar records.

Recording bramble first ripe fruit

1. If you regularly pass a bramble shrub, keep an eye on the blackberries as they ripen.
2. They'll change colour from green to red to purple to black.
3. Record bramble first ripe fruit when the first blackberry is soft to touch.
4. You can take a photo to add to your record.

Too early for first ripe fruit

If the blackberries are still red and hard it’s too early to record first ripe fruit. Keep coming back to the shrub until the first blackberry ripens.

Too late for first ripe fruit

If there are already lots of ripe fruit on the shrub it’s too late, you’ve missed the date of first ripe fruit date this year. At least you can enjoy eating the fruit!

Not sure if it's a bramble?

Take a look at our bramble page to find out more about how to identify the species, and which plants it can be easily confused with.

Bramble desktop wallpaper

Use our bramble desktop wallpaper this month to remind you what to look out for during July.