Description
Building upon the established strawberry and raspberry patches, this expansion adds blueberry groves and significantly increases the blackberry production. The thickets now spread throughout multiple clearings, each location chosen to match the specific soil and light requirements of different berry varieties, creating a diverse tapestry of fruit production across the grove.
Blueberry bushes cluster near the acidic soil beneath pine groves, their branches soon bowing under the weight of powder-blue fruit. These bushes require patience to establish but reward that patience with reliable, abundant harvests once mature. The accelerated growth within the dimensional grove means they reach full production far faster than normal, their roots spreading deep while their branches multiply prolifically.
The blackberry canes have now matured into productive tangles, their thorny branches laden with clusters of dark, juicy berries. These brambles form natural barriers along pathways and property edges, serving dual purposes as both food source and living fence. Wild currants, both red and black, are introduced in this phase, their upright bushes producing small jewel-like berries that hang in graceful clusters.
Strategic plantings create natural buffers, with certain patches designated as wildlife zones where no harvesting occurs. Bird netting now protects the areas needed for consistent human consumption, while the majority of bushes remain open to all forest creatures. This maintains the balance between cultivation and wildness that defines the Elderwood Grove's philosophy.
The paths through the thickets are lined with fragrant herbs like mint and lemon balm, which help deter certain pests while adding to the pleasant atmosphere. Small benches crafted from fallen logs provide resting spots where pickers can pause to enjoy fresh berries, and the thickets have become true social gathering places where stories are shared alongside the harvest.
Benefits
The expanded thickets now produce 150 extra pounds of mixed fresh berries each month during the growing season, including blueberries, blackberries, and currants alongside the original strawberries and raspberries. This generates 150 more gold per month. The Survival check bonus from harvesting remains. This upgrade generates an additional 1 Prestige.