Learn how to forage goldenrod – a native pollinator plant with herbal uses! You’ll also learn how to tell it apart from ragweed and other plants that bloom at the same time, plus tips on how to use it. I’ve also included a free printable “cheat sheet” about goldenrod that you can save to your…
Confused about the differences between common nettle (stinging nettle) and purple dead nettle? Here’s how to confidently tell them apart! Basic Plant Information: Purple Dead Nettle Latin name: Lamium purpureum Growing details: winter annual that can grow up to 16 to 18″ tall, but is often about 12″ Purple dead nettle leaves often show up…
Being able to identify Jack O’ Lantern mushrooms is an essential skill for mushroom foragers! This is especially useful when hunting for chanterelles, or other orange mushrooms, such as chicken of the woods. In this article, I’m sharing photos and tips to help you better tell the difference between toxic Jack O’ Lanterns (Omphalotus illudens),…
Raspberry leaves are so easy to harvest, dry, and turn into tea! You can pick leaves any time they are green and fresh looking – I’ve been picking a few small handfuls this week, in anticipation of an upcoming hard frost. Picking the Leaves: Inspect your raspberry bushes before you start selecting to pick. You…
Paw Paws are a delicious native fruit that’s prized by foragers! In this article, you’ll learn how to ID paw paw (Asimina triloba) trees throughout the year, plus when to look for the fruit, and how to best harvest and store it. How to ID a Paw Paw Tree Paw paws are small, perennial understory…
Ragweed and goldenrod get mixed up so often, but it’s not because they look alike! It’s because goldenrod has a showy yellow bloom right around the time ragweed pollen is making everyone sneeze. Goldenrod gets all of the blame, but it’s actually used by folks to help with seasonal allergies! In this article, you’ll learn…
Corn Smut, also called Huitlacoche, Corn Mushroom, Corn Fungus, or Mexican Truffles, is an edible fungus that can be found on developing ears of corn. Though it’s considered a pest for most corn farmers in America, it’s also an umami-rich delicacy when prepared correctly! If you’ve never tried corn smut (corn mushroom) before, let me…
Learn how to forage, identify, and harvest black walnuts (Juglans nigra) plus how to dry and cure the nuts, and use the hulls and leaves for remedies! ID Tips for Black Walnuts (Photo Identification) Black walnut is a native tree, for those of us who live in Eastern North America. It’s a tall beautiful tree,…
Black trumpets are a choice edible mushroom, loved by many foragers! This article shares tips for finding and positively ID’ing them, lookalikes to know about, and how to store and dry your foraged finds. I get especially excited talking about black trumpet mushrooms (Craterellus fallax), because they were the very first mushroom I ever found…
Learn how to find and forage chanterelle mushrooms, plus tips on harvesting, identifying lookalikes, and how to store and cook these prized wild mushrooms! Hot and humid summer weather + lots of rain = tons of chanterelles popping up in our woods! Because of their bright color, they’re fairly easy to spot, if you look…
Learn how to identify and sustainably harvest Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum biflorum), then how to turn it into a tincture. We’ll also cover how to cultivate Solomon’s Seal in your garden or on your own land! Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum biflorum) is a perennial woodland herb that’s native to the Eastern United States and Canada. It’s also…
Learn how to identify and forage Creeping Charlie, an edible spring weed, plus instructions to turn it into a tincture! Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea) – also known by the common names “gill-over-the-ground”, “ale-hoof”, “run-away-robin” and “ground ivy” – is a fast-growing, perennial weed that grows low to the ground. Many gardeners find it the bane…