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 !!!

 

 

 

This is what Jon did the week of his birthday.  It took all week.  You can see it's almost done.  

 

He had to use a 28 foot ladder to do the top part, and it was a bear!!!  The last time he stained this part of the house was at least 5 years ago.  So this time he double coated it, and hopefully it will last a little longer.  Doesn't it look beautiful?  

 

He did declare that the next time this job needs doing, he's going to hire Tim to do the top part.  Maybe he should call him soon, and book the job.  Tim is one busy guy.  

 

HAPPY HOME MAINTENANCE!!!!!

photo: compliments of The Farmers Almanac

 

 

Today is the Autumnal equinox, when day and night hours are nearly equal.  Astronomically, it is when the Sun is directly above the equator.  Astrologically, it is when the Sun enters the sign of Libra.  In the Northern hemisphere, we will begin to see more hours of darkness than light, until the Winter Solstice in December.  

 

According to the Farmers Almanac, Autumn officially begins at 9:31 a.m. EDT, September 22, 2020.

 

 

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!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are members of Farm Bureau, and every month we get a newsletter/magazine.  It always has good stories, tips, and general information about North Carolina.  So I read it every month.  This month I read a short article on roadway safety that I'd like to pass along.  

 

Agricultural vehicles are on the roads now, delivering food and necessities, or just getting from one field to another.  And they are very slow-moving.  They can only travel at 20-25 mph, but need to use the same highways we use traveling 55 mph.  When you see them, SLOW DOWN, for their safety, and yours.

 

I thought it was an excellent reminder that we're not in the big city, and we ALL need to slow down.  That's why most of us are here anyway, isn't it?

 

HAPPY TRAVELS!!!

 

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!!!