North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Jim Fruth <jfruth@uslink.net>]

Doreen,
   I cannot imagine where anyone would find elderberries at any time of
year.  They are not a desired item at farmers' markets.  You'd have to know
someone who raises them.  I raise them but My plants have only given me
their first crop so we only had enough to make three pints of jelly - I have
15 multi-stemmed, 8' high plants.  Had I known they spread via rhizomes, I
might not have planted any.  I scattered the plants so the birds wouldn't
have a 'one-stop-shopping-center' and they are starting to become a
nusiance.  If I didn't have sciatica, I'd be seriously thinking about
grubbing them out before they get totally out of hand.
   The 'book' says that one mature elderberry plant should produce 25 lbs.
of fruit.  I don't know if I believe that but, should it ever come close to
that, I'll be applying Round-Up to most of them.
   BTW, re relieving sciatic pain, it doesn't work 100% but it helps.  Also
I tried eating a spoonful of raw berries and decided I'll definitely use
jelly hereafter.

Jim Fruth
Pequot Lakes, MN

Jim Fruth wrote:
>    When the subject was elderberries, a week or so ago, someone chimed in
> saying that a dose of elderberries, raw or cooked, relieves sciatic pain.
> I
> tried it and to whomever said it, "Thanks, it works."

Wow!  That's great.  My husband suffers from sciatic pain, and I'd be
interested in getting elderberries for him.  Where can I find them this time
of year?  Obviously, I'll be planting some this spring.
Doreen Howard