I'm telling you, this has been THE year for mushrooms.  We're seeing them everywhere!  This one was about 10 inches across, and weighed almost a pound. 

 

When we saw it in the woods, we both gasped.  We knew what it was, but asked Seek to verify our find.  Seek told us it is Chicken of the Woods, Laetiporus cincinnatus, another Polypore mushroom.  This one was fresh and beautifully clean, so we cut it and brought it home.  I double checked the mushroom field guide, and several internet sources for back up positive identification.  They all confirmed:  white-pored chicken of the woods mushroom.

 

Then we looked for a recipe, and how to cook it.  Lots of recipes on the internet.  It can't be eaten without cooking.  

 

Of course, we only ate a small amount, to be sure of no bad reactions.  All foods affect people differently.  It was fabulous.  The texture was like chicken, and it tasted exactly like chicken.  And we still feel fine today, no bad tummy reactions.  I'm going to make a chicken mushroom pot pie with the rest.  

 

Please DO NOT follow my lead on eating what you find in the woods.  I've been foraging for years, and KNOW what I can eat and not eat;  and I always double check what I'm not positive about.  You must always positively identify plants even before touching them.  Some plants can cause allergic reactions just by touching them.  

 

If you're not sure, BE SAFE, and leave them alone.  

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

I know this doesn't look very pretty, but it serves a purpose.  

 

The Echinacea was beautiful all summer, but now it has gone to seed.  See the dark cones?  They are full of seeds, and the goldfinches love them.  Every time we step outside, we see them fly off of the echinacea.  They will eat every last seed until there are only stems left.  I'll get rid of them, then.

 

Not very attractive.  Don't care, food is food, and this food is FREE!!!  And we love seeing the goldfinches.  

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Meet Nasturtium.  Tropaeolum majus.  It is an annual, easily grown from seeds, and it is vining, and beautiful.  The leaves, stems and flowers are edible, and have a peppery taste, much like cress.  Just taste a tiny bit the first time.  It's an unusual flavor.

 

We sometimes chop the leaves and add to a salad, along with the flower petals.   We also use the flowers to decorate dishes for happy hour or dinner.  

 

Nasturtium thrives in poor soil, so you don't have to do anything special to grow it.  Just plant the seeds in May and watch what happens.  Not sure about deer resistance, ours is inside the fenced garden.  But a packet of seeds costs only 3 bucks, so it's definitely worth the risk.  Try it.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know you've seen these in your travels.  There are several on Five Forks Drive near Solitude, and a few more on Stonebriar near Crabapple Lane.  

 

This is Devil's Walking Stick or Hercules Club, botanically, Aralia spinoza.  It is native to the Eastern US, and grows up to 25 feet.  Mostly, they are seen as understory trees at the edge of the woods.  

 

Look for them now while they are fruiting, remember the location, and go back later this fall to see them when they've changed color.  They're pretty then too.  No point looking for them in winter, they are bare stalks with lots of thorns.  But once you know their location, you can check on them again in spring when they sport fabulous umbrella heads of whitish yellow flowers.

 

HAPPY GARDENING !!!

 

 

 

I read in the Carolina Country newsletter that now is the perfect time to plan your spring garden, and buy your spring flowering bulbs.  You can get them in garden centers, and catalogs that specialize in bulbs.  My favorite is http://www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com  and Jim and Roxanne shop at  http://www.brecks.com  You can't go wrong copying Jim and Roxanne.  They have the best garden around.

 

We are talking about crocus, daffodils, hyacinths, iris, lilies, tulips;  and don't forget onions and garlic.  They all get planted in the late fall.  You can get onion sets and garlic bulbs at the garden center too, or from http://www.sowtrueseed.com  You get better selection from catalogs, even if you don't always get better prices.  Depends on your preferences.  

 

The selection is best at the beginning of fall.  But it is TOO EARLY to plant them now. The soil needs to be cooler to keep the bulbs from starting to sprout.  Late October into November is the best time for planting in our area.  

 

So BUY your bulbs now, and keep them cool and dry until you plant them in October into November.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know that fall is almost here when the Black gum trees start showing color.  They are some of the first to change.  This one is on Crabapple Lane, just across from our front door.  So I see it every day.

 

I've written about Black gum before, but it is such a prominent tree in our woods, I'd like to share some of its qualities again.  

 

Nyssa sylvatica, a botanical name I remember from 1975.  I can't help it;  there is a beautiful specimen tree in the Norfolk Botanical Garden that taught me about itself, especially when it did this in September!!!  This native, deciduous tree turns scarlet, leaf by leaf, until, by the middle of October it is on fire!!!!  

 

It is also called Sour gum, Black tupelo, and Pepperidge, and grows 40-60 feet tall.  The female trees bear clusters of blue-black berries in October, and are relished by birds.  Apparently turkeys and black bears love them too, according to my Peterson Field Guide.  Maybe you've heard of Tupelo honey;  bees use the nectar of the flowers in May and June to make honey.  Very tasty.

 

I have a friend who is a Naturalist, and she makes jelly, syrup and glazes for cakes using the juice of Black gum berries.  It requires a lot of work, but I'll share her recipes if you like.  Not me, though, I stay away from everything that uses that much sugar!!!

 

Be sure to notice the Black gum trees in your travels, remember: scarlet leaves against shiny green ones.  

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

It's time to bring in your houseplants that have been "at camp" on the porch all summer.  Even though the days are still warm, the nighttime temperatures are getting ready to drop into the 50's.  Most tropical plants can't take temperatures below 55 degrees.  Trust me;  do it soon!!!

 

I won't try to save the pot of marigolds, (they are annuals, and will be planted again in the spring) but the spider plant, amaryllis, and Benjamin fig will come inside for the winter.  Before you move your plants inside, be sure to check the leaves (above and below) for bugs, and clusters of insect eggs.  Don't want to overwinter them!!!

 

Some people also divide and pot up herbs from the garden, like chives, oregano, parsley, thyme, and grow them in a sunny windowsill.  We don't go to that trouble. We harvest our herbs and hang them in the window to dry for winter use.  Whatever works for you...

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

I saw this picture on the Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds website, and copied it to show you.  It is so cheerful!!!

 

The story with it was about a farmer who planted this field in sunflowers just to cheer people up this year.  That's why WE plant sunflowers every year:  they cheer up everybody who sees them.  They are also great for the pollinators.  When they are in bloom, the birds and bees and butterflies love them.

 

Sunflowers are so easy to grow.  You can buy a package of seeds in the spring, just about anywhere.  Then all you have to do is find a sunny spot and poke the seeds into the ground in April or May.  Then, get ready to be amazed.  

 

We have some sunflowers in the garden that are 10 feet tall.  And the birds love pecking out the seeds.  We leave them until they are almost empty, then save some seeds to plant next year.  But I do like to get a fresh pack of seeds every few years, and maybe try a different variety.

 

They are so much fun in the garden.  Try it and see for yourself.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have you been to Hughes Outdoor Sporting Goods lately?  It is in Blairsville on 19/129, just before you turn onto the hospital road.  Look over to the right behind the gas station.  You might have to pull into the parking area to get a good look.  

 

They have the most gorgeous hanging baskets.  They are huge!!  They are filled with sweet potato vines, dichondra, and begonias, and still growing.  I see some spider plants in there too.  Ralph has to water them twice a day, 2 gallons each time.  Go see them, they are incredible.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

I thought you might like to see what a butternut squash harvest at our house looks like.  These all grew in our garden this year.   We harvested 30!!!   Some of them I planted, and some planted themselves.  I love that!!!  Except sometimes they plant themselves right in the walkway.  Oh well.  We just walk around them.  

 

I will add two recipes: butternut squash soup and butternut with green beans.  Check in the recipe section; it's under neighbors sharing, down at the bottom.  

 

I just went there and added the green bean one, and saw that the soup one was already there.  Hope you enjoy our recipes.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!