FRUIT growers and jam makers are predicting another bumper year for wild fruits this year following a fantastic period of frost-free weather and a warmer spring than for many years.

The blossom on wild fruit trees all over the Isle of Man has been exceptional with fruits such as plums, damsons and sloes expected to produce heavy crops in the late summer and autumn.

Blueberries (often known as blaeberries in the Isle of Man) are also expected to fruit heavily with plants much further advanced in growth this year than last and for many a year.

The blueberries will be the first to fruit. In the Isle of Man ir’s said that you should always be able to enjoy a blueberry pie before Tynwald Day in a good year.

Apple blossom is now starting to appear and blackberry blossom is expected shortly. Again, heavy crops are expected due to the exceptional spring weather.

All the wild fruits mentioned here are freely available all over the Isle of Man every year. However, you cannot go onto private land to collect wild fruits. The glens, footpaths and government-owned woodlands of the Isle of Man offer plenty for everyone.

• Send us your recipes for cooking with wild fruits. There are already a number on isleofman.com but we are always happy to publish more and mention the name of the chef!