It is a lot of work, but not hard labor. This is the fourth year of two original plants I purchased and planted. I have a John and Adam variety to ensure good pollination and production. When the berries start to turn black, I have to put netting on to prevent the birds from eating every one, as they do to the local wild plants.

The dark spot in the upper right is a large plume of berries ripening. I have a wooden frame work to hold the netting, but I remove it after the harvest. Netting is tedious to rig as little birds can come in a small hole and become trapped. I cut off the plumes then rake or pick the berries off the stems. Laying them out lets them breath and ripen a little more. 

This is the tedious part, as there are usually a few green defective berries that need to be eliminated with the stems before they go on the dryer (dehydrator).

It takes about 24 hours to dry them sufficiently, as I rotate the trays. A dryer with a fan could be quicker. Then I remove them to jars for storage to keep the dried elderberries until we make our special elderberry elixir, a powered weapon against colds and sickness.

Elderberry is used for the common cold, “the flu” (influenza), and H1N1 “swine” flu. It is also used for HIV/AIDS and boosting the immune system. Elderberry is also used for sinus pain, back and leg pain (sciatica), nerve pain (neuralgia), and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).Jun 11, 2021 (https://www.rxlist.com › supplements)

Elderberry Syrup Recipe (the is one of many)

• 3/4 cup dried elderberries
• 3 cups water
• 1 teaspoon dried cinnamon or 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 teaspoon dried cloves or 4 whole cloves or 1 drop clove essential oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger or 1 teaspoon dried ginger or 1 drop ginger essential oil
• 1 cup raw honey

Instructions

1. In a large pot, bring the elderberries, water, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger to a boil.
2. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer until the liquid has reduced by half, about 40-45 minutes.
3. Allow the liquid to cool, and then drain the liquid using a fine mesh strainer or cheese cloth.
4. Press all liquid out of the berries using the back of a wooden spoon.
5. Add the raw honey and mix well.
6. Store in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to two months.

I’m guessing it makes about a pint. Amazon charges $10 for 4 0z. It is expensive.