Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) is a common mushroom in North America as well as other parts of the world. One of the best things is that its available 8 months out of the year whereas most mushrooms are only available for a few days to up to two months...
Wild fruit is perhaps my favorite wild edible to harvest. Don’t think that harvesting ends in spring or summer. Fall is an excellent time to get outside and forage – it isn’t nicknamed harvest season for nothing. Persimmons One of my personal favorites, this was named “The Fruit of...
Oyster Mushrooms are one of the easiest wild mushrooms to identify. They grow exclusively on wood, either living or dead. Do not harvest them unless clearly on wood. They also always have white or light colored gills that run down their stem. They like cool weather, so look for...
Burdock (Arctium spp) is a genus of the plant kingdom that is found all over the world with both edible and medicinal uses. Burdock and I go way back to my college days when my knowledge of the natural world grew very rapidly. The sweet smell of burdock flowers...
As fall blows in with the sudden blast of cold this past week, it’s time to start thinking about and keeping a look out for fall mushrooms. Just like plants, mushrooms are usually seasonal, with a few exceptions. You’ll see far more mushrooms in the fall than in the...
The herb I’m about to share has taken the herbal market by storm in recent years. Many people are turning to natural cures rather than prescription based ones that cause a lengthy list of hazardous side affects. The good new is with a little time learning to harvest or...
A bitters once was a common drink consumed regularly by nearly everyone in the modern world. A bitters (plural is also bitters) is traditionally an alcoholic preparation flavored with botanical matter so that the end result is characterized by a bitter, sour, or bittersweet flavor. Numerous longstanding brands of...
Late summer is a great time to harvest, harvest, harvest! My number one tip for beginners is to harvest everything you know is medicinal or edible now or the plants listed in my articles and hang them up to dry in your house. You can use them for medicine...
This time of year, I start to wonder how I can bottle up the joy and abundance of nature for the winter months. I love the hot, lazy days spent at a beach or river and the sound of cicadas in the background. Alas, summer can’t last forever. Luckily...
As someone who has bouts of insomnia, I’m always looking for something quick and easy that I can add to my daily routine and prevent night-time tossing and turning. Look no further than herbal infused honeys! You can make herbal infused honeys for many ailments and it’s easily stored,...