We all know that the older we get the harder it is to learn new things.

The reason? In order to process new information our brain cells need to “talk” to each another. Yet, as we age those cells become inflamed making it harder for them to communicate with one another.

Blackberries can get the conversation flowing again. They provide powerful antioxidants known as polyphenols that   quickly kill inflammation and encourage communication between neurons, improving our ability to soak up new information according to a 2009 Tufts University study.

Would you like to put the brakes on brain rot? You can, simply by adding blackberries to your daily diet. The “You are what you eat” adage most definitely applies to mental function.

If you are wondering about how to grow blackberries, you need to look at your yard and find the perfect place for growing blackberry plants.

They do best in full sunshine, but can tolerate some shade. If you put them in too much shade, however, they won’t produce any fruit.

When considering planting blackberries, you need to make sure you do not plant the bushes where peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes or strawberries are growing, or have grown in the past three years or so.

These plants are prone to certain bugs and problems that the growing blackberry plants are also prone to, so keep away from these areas.

Blackberries as everyone knows are extremely invasive. They send out massive spiny shoots in spring and summer and positively gobble up available space.

Cultivated blackberry plants are no different, except that there are thornless varieties, such as Oregon Thornless, Arapaho, Loch Ness, Triple Crown available which make controlling them a little less hazardous. They are far easier to live with than their clawed sisters.

Growing blackberry plants will produce berries for 15 to 20 years if you take care of them. Sometimes planting blackberries next to a trellis will help because the bush is a climbing type. Growing blackberry bushes is rather simple once the plants are in the ground.

Blackberries taste like summer vacation. The rich-tasting, black fruit brings back memories of lazy summer days and quiet country lanes. Blackberries peak in July in the North and in June in the South in the United States, but the growing season will vary from state to state.

Make sure to pick the plumpest and firmest blackberries; unripe berries will not ripen after they are picked.The fruit is ripe and at its peak sweetness when it is a dull black color.

Pick fruits that are shiny black if you need to store them in your refrigerator. They won’t be as sweet, but they will last longer. Harvest will continue for 2 to 3 weeks, depending on variety.

As soon as all the fruit is harvested, prune out all the old fruiting canes and remove them from the garden, as they no longer produce fruit. Continue to tie, tip, or train the new canes that have not produced fruit to the trellis until growth stops in the fall.

Blackberries make superb preserves and baked goods.  There’s nothing like a fresh blackberry cobbler or pie! How many ways can you use blackberries? Pies, cobblers, jams, jellies, sauces, wine, in muffins, eating fresh, etc. One cup of blackberries has around 62 calories and weighs around 140 grams.

Want  to know more about blackberries? Then put your question here.

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Yours truly, Polly – Organic Gardener

Sunflower seeds

The high-fiber seeds also help promote and maintain digestive health. Their impressive nutritional profile makes sunflower seeds an excellent source of energy and a simple way to add lift to your everyday recipes.

A handful of sunflower seeds will take care of your hunger, while also enhancing your health by supplying significant amounts of vitamin E, magnesium and selenium.

It is a very easy task to cut and dry your sunflowers. Sunflowers are ready to be harvested once the back side of the flower turns yellow and will droop somewhat, instead of facing the sun.

In northern areas, this might be after the first killing freeze. In warmer areas, the plant will dry down naturally.Harvesting sunflowers usually occurs sometime between September and October.

By this time, most or all of the petals should have fallen off, and the backs of the heads will have turned tan or a pale yellow. Simply snip the head off the plant and rub the seeds out by hand.

If birds or other pests are attacking your sunflower heads, you can cut the heads and hang them in your garage like onions often are dried. But you need to ensure that the seeds are mature. You might also have another option to discourage the critters. Cover the heads with paper sacks so the seeds are harder to retrieve.

If you’ve determined that your sunflower is ready, cut the head of the sunflower off while leaving a bit of the stem still attached. Do not harvest sunflowers that are still green in appearance. Look for sunflowers that have lost most of their leaves, are somewhat brown and hang heavily.

Your sunflower seeds are ready if they are plump and striped with black and white. Once you have cut the sunflower, allow the flower to dry out for approximately one week.

The drying process allows the seeds to be released from the sunflower head.  If the sunflower head has dried sufficiently, the seeds should fall out rather easily. If you find that your seeds are not coming out easily, it’s a good indication that the flower head needs some additional drying time.

When the seeds are thoroughly dried, dislodge them by rubbing two heads together, or by brushing them with your fingers or a stiff brush. Allow the seeds to dry for a few more days, and then store in airtight glass jars in the refrigerator to retain flavor. Use nutrient-rich sunflower seeds for snacks and as a substitute for nuts in baking.

To toast the seeds to enhance their flavor, lightly brown them in a skillet over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, or on a cookie sheet in the oven at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.

Lots of gardeners grow sunflowers as home-grown bird feeders. It’s great fun to watch little birds hanging upside down on the heads as they peck out one seed at a time. After the seeds are gone, chop up the stalks with a shredder or a machete and add that organic matter to your compost pile.

Assuming that you want some of the seeds for yourself, choose the biggest heads for harvest.

Want  to know more about sunflower seeds? Then click here:

Sunflowers Rise & Shine In Your Garden! | Your Organic Gardening Blog

or Sunflower Seeds: Mother Nature’s Delicious Gift For Better Health | Natural Health Solutions

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Yours truly, Polly – Organic Gardener