Grocery stores only stock a small glimpse of the variety of food on this planet. What are you missing? Nothing beats homegrown, local produce. Strawberries are meant to be eaten straight from the field; still warm from the sun. The best pineapple is found in Hawaii, the best avocados in Mexico, the best oranges.... You … Continue reading The Best Wild Edibles & Rare Fruits for Cold Climates
We have been tapping our maple trees for the last 6 years. It can be a lot of work, but it's worth it! 4 pots of sap boiling over the fire You can tap almost any maple tree - in your urban yard, in the middle of a forest, or in your pasture. It doesn't … Continue reading Tapping Maple Trees for Syrup
Staghorn Sumac and smooth sumac are hiding in plain sight! They are amazing plants for pollinators and overlooked by almost everyone! Smooth Sumac and Staghorn Sumac are common "roadside" plants in North America. They are pioneer plants and quickly spread by rhizomes to colonize erosion prone areas. They are unique looking shrubs, grow without maintenance, … Continue reading Staghorn Sumac – A blessing to bees and humans
The North American Hackberry is an overlooked tree - and that's a shame! It's beautiful - graceful and statuesque - like the mighty elm. It's native to the United States and can tolerate most of our climates and soil types. Check out this groovy bark! What other tree has bark this cool? Here in Minnesota, … Continue reading Eating Hackberries
