Tuesday, January 24, 2012

A recent afternoon in the woods


Darker than Midnight

A gateway on a ridge

Dark Holler

Monday, January 23, 2012

Farm update

 I hope everyone is doing well!  As we get into 2012, I think back to last year.  I think the word for last year is change.  There were many changes happening around the farm.  I realized that I couldn't grow enough vegetables, herbs, and flowers to farm full time.  There is just not enough arable land to do so.  And there is nothing wrong with that.  That was a hard realization to come to.  And so I'm concentrating on what I'm known for.  Which is foraging.  You will find products that I forage for at several restaurants around town.  And from time to time, I will have flowers and herbs available for purchase. 
     So, I'm really looking forward to 2012.  As I learn more and more about the flora and the land around me, I'm constantly exploring and looking for new things.  I'm searching for new tastes and textures.  I'm constantly amazed at how much food is all around us.  I also plan on experimenting with various items.  Some familiar, and some new.  This week I will be experimenting with pine needles, field mustard roots, and primrose roots.  I'm really excited about this!  You also may have noticed how weird this winter weather has been.  Weather affects wild items in a lot of ways.  For instance, watercress is in season right now.  It was earlier than expected this year.  I could have been cutting on it in December.  Also, since it is earlier will that mean it does not last as long into the spring?  I will just have to wait and see.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Over the mountains

This morning while driving through the foggy mountains to Ashville to pick watercress, I spotted some mushrooms growing high up on a dead tree.  Colours really pop on an overcast, foggy morning.  There were three oak trees with oyster mushrooms on them.  I was almost too late.  A lot of them were weeks old and rotting.  I was able to cut several pounds of them.  It looked like the mycelia was filling these trees up by the shear numbers of rotting mushrooms.  It has been my observation that mushrooms grow the most near the base of the tree.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

A new year





Some pictures from the past year.  You can find more pictures on my twitter account.  

My New Year's Resolution for this year is to write once a week!