Now Forage

American plum: Red to yellow, about 2 cm across. Tart-sweet when ripe; flesh softens and the fruit falls readily. Good raw or cooked. Watch for early drop — often ready by mid-August.

Apple: Background colour changes from green to yellow or cream (variety determines final colour). Seeds inside should be brown. Flesh yields slightly to thumb pressure. A ripe apple releases with a gentle upward twist — no pulling. Check the ground for natural drops.

Raspberry: Deep red (or gold/yellow for golden varieties) and slides off the receptacle — the hollow centre is the tell. Does not pull: a ripe raspberry separates at a touch. Extremely fragile; use within hours of picking.