Farm Foraging: Smooth Sumac

Smooth Sumac drupes (berry clusters)

I’m always delighted to discover new wild-growing, useful plants on our property. I still remember the first time I spied small green spheres growing in the trees and wondered what in the world those pungent, citrus-scented globes were – hedge apples? It turns out that they were black walnuts! Lesson learned: never assume that a plant is “just a weed”.

Continue reading “Farm Foraging: Smooth Sumac”

Farm Foraging: Queen Anne’s Lace Jelly and Syrup

Making food and drink from edible wild-growing plants is truly a gift that brings us closer to the land and its bounty. It illustrates, in a very practical way, the benefits of not using chemicals (pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers): we don’t have to worry about what’s been sprayed on our property…because nothing has been. And that means I can collect the frilly white flower heads of wild-growing Queen Anne’s Lace for jelly and know that I’m getting exactly what I think I am and nothing extra.

Continue reading “Farm Foraging: Queen Anne’s Lace Jelly and Syrup”