Picking Blackberries.

Have you ever picked wild blackberries?  It's a significant piece of work, and there are pitfalls, but the reward is a great one -- fresh, wild blackberries to use in jelly, ice cream, or even just as fresh fruit to eat.

Time to go blackberry picking. #blackberry #blackberries #blackberrypicking #arkansasfood

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Jul 4, 2015 at 6:19am PDT

This particular patch is in southern Faulkner County, near a state highway.

It may kook ridiculous, but an extra long pair of socks over my regular socks and the bottoms of my pants should keep ticks and chiggers out. #blackberry #blackberries #blackberrypicking #arkansasfood

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Jul 4, 2015 at 6:21am PDT

It's also a good idea to utilize an insect repellent. Another option is to smear petroleum jelly on the wrists and ankles where clothing doesn't cover.

Blackberries are indigenous to North America and to Arkansas. Both the red and the black berries here are blackberries. #blackberry #blackberries #blackberrypicking #arkansasfood

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Jul 4, 2015 at 6:37am PDT

The best way to tell the difference between a raspberry and a blackberry is to see whether it has a core. Blackberries retain their core, while raspberries pull off of their core and are hollow. That's why you can fill raspberries with cream cheese and other items.#blackberry #blackberries #blackberrypicking #arkansasfood

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Jul 4, 2015 at 6:38am PDT

Green canes, or blackberry vines, are called primocanes. In the wild, they don't usually produce blackberries. They are the first year of growth for a blackberry cane. #blackberry #blackberries #blackberrypicking #arkansasfood

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Jul 4, 2015 at 6:40am PDT

The reddish brown canes, or blackberry vines, are called flurocanes. They are second or third year growth and they produce the fruit. #blackberry #blackberries #blackberrypicking #arkansasfood

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Jul 4, 2015 at 6:42am PDT

Blackberries can be found growing on hillsides, in ditches, or really wherever there's a spare place for them to grow. You can find them along roadsides in most sections of Arkansas. #blackberry #blackberries #blackberrypicking #arkansasfood

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Jul 4, 2015 at 6:43am PDT

Although blackberries may be hard to get to, thanks to the prickles on the primocanes, they are relatively easy to pick. Lightly grasp a berry or two between your thumb and fingers, and pull. #blackberry #blackberries #blackberrypicking #arkansasfood

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Jul 4, 2015 at 6:45am PDT

Ripe berries will usually just pull off easily. Berries that don't come away with a gentle tug may not be ripe. #blackberry #blackberries #blackberrypicking #arkansasfood

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Jul 4, 2015 at 6:47am PDT

It won't take long before you see plenty of blackberries in your bucket. #blackberry #blackberries #blackberrypicking #arkansasfood

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Jul 4, 2015 at 6:47am PDT

To get deeper into a blackberry bramble, gently step on primocanes to push them down.#blackberry #blackberries #blackberrypicking #arkansasfood

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Jul 4, 2015 at 7:02am PDT

There tends to be more fruit in protected brambles.#blackberry #blackberries #blackberrypicking #arkansasfood

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Jul 4, 2015 at 7:02am PDT

Cup your hand underneath the berries you are picking to increase the chance of not dropping them on the ground. #blackberry #blackberries #blackberrypicking #arkansasfood

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Jul 4, 2015 at 7:03am PDT

Shriveled druplets indicate a lack of water or older berries. #blackberry #blackberries #blackberrypicking #arkansasfood

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Jul 4, 2015 at 7:04am PDT

Doing pretty good so far! #blackberry #blackberries #blackberrypicking #arkansasfood

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Jul 4, 2015 at 7:20am PDT

Looks like I accidentally picked this guy. Back he goes. #blackberry #blackberries #blackberrypicking #arkansasfood

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Jul 4, 2015 at 7:24am PDT

I found this guy sipping on some blackberries of his own. I left it alone. #blackberry #blackberries #blackberrypicking #arkansasfood

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Jul 4, 2015 at 8:14am PDT

Blackberry picking is messy, sometimes painful, and time consuming. But the end result is a gallon of fresh, sweet blackberries that we'll use for ice cream making and jelly. #blackberry #blackberries #blackberrypicking #arkansasfood

A photo posted by Kat Robinson (@tiedyekat) on Jul 4, 2015 at 8:15am PDT