Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata), sometimes called Autumnberry, is an invasive shrub that produces loads of tangy but tasty berries each fall. When perfectly ripe, we like to eat them right off of the bush (you can chew the seeds or spit them out) and turn them into a delicious seasonal jelly. In this article, we’ll…
Learn how to make delicious autumn olive jelly! The flavor is unique and hard to describe, but we think it tastes somewhat like peach or apricot, with a hint of cherry. Around here, we have acres of invasives, including autumn olive, kudzu, Japanese knotweed, oriental bittersweet, and more. It’s a constant effort to keep their…
You know that little bottle of paprika sitting in your spice cabinet right now? You can grow that, right in your own garden! Growing Paprika Peppers First, you’ll need to grow some peppers. You will want to buy actual paprika pepper seeds to grow for this – look for ones with the word “Paprika” in…
Fans of garlic will love this easy and yummy dish made with freshly foraged chicken of the woods mushrooms! Chicken of the woods is a choice edible mushroom, that actually does taste a lot like chicken! This makes it a great stand-in for some of the recipes you’d normally use chicken in. For more about…
For the new mushroom hunter, Chicken of the Woods is one the easiest and most beginner friendly mushrooms to find. This choice edible mushroom will quickly become a favorite that you’ll look for every time you head into the woods! What is Chicken of the Woods? Chicken of the Woods is a polypore mushroom –…
Learn how to identify and forage for jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), then how to use it to make a soothing poison ivy salve, and a jewelweed itch remedy with witch hazel or vinegar. Jewelweed’s always a fun plant to go hunting for! Loved by children for the explosion of seeds that burst forth at the gentlest…
Learn to grow and care for Sulfur Cosmos, a long blooming favorite of native pollinators, butterflies, and bees! A staple of pollinator and meadow mixes are the many varieties of cosmos. Two of most commonly used are the Wild Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) also known as the common Cosmos; and Sulfur Cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus). The striking…
Learn how to forage for Self Heal (Prunella vulgaris), plus how to use it, including tincture, tea, and salve recipes! Self Heal (Prunella vulgaris), also called “heal all”, is a common weed found growing on lawns, field edges, and creek banks all throughout North America and other parts of the world. Besides being a great…
This oven roasted tomato sauce is so flavorful and super simple to make! It’s pretty much the easiest homemade tomato sauce you’ll ever make! No boiling, peeling, or canning involved! You can use any type of tomato, from cherry, to roma, to beefsteak, or a mixture of all kinds. We’ve been enjoying this sauce using…