A wood-fired cob oven can turn a quiet corner of the backyard into a place where people gather. It is also a real building project, so understanding the full sequence before starting will save time and frustration. Build a wood-fired cob oven Cob is a mixture of clay-rich soil, sand, and natural fiber. Our complete guide walks through choosing a location, building a stable foundation, adding insulation, shaping the oven, and allowing it to dry. Read the cob oven building guide Plan before you...
6 days ago • 1 min read
A ripe persimmon can taste like fruity caramel. An unripe astringent persimmon can make your mouth feel as though it has turned inside out. The difference starts with knowing which persimmon you have and what fully ripe looks like for that tree. American vs. asian persimmons Wild American persimmons are native to much of the eastern United States. The fruits are small and reach their best flavor when extremely soft. Timing varies by tree, and some lose their astringency before frost while...
10 days ago • 1 min read
Your Halloween pumpkin is more than a temporary porch decoration. Pumpkin flesh and seeds are edible, and gardeners can also use the plant’s flowers and young leaves. The incredible edible pumpkin Pumpkins are winter squash native to the Americas. Different varieties vary widely in flavor and texture, but many can become soups, breads, pancakes, chili, desserts, and other fall foods. Learn the history and food potential of pumpkins Process the flesh Cut the pumpkin into manageable pieces and...
14 days ago • 1 min read
Some ducks don't mind human attention. Others act as though the person bringing food and water is an unusually suspicious predator. You cannot guarantee a cuddly duck, but you can improve the odds that your flock feels safe and comfortable around you. Tip 1: consider breed temperament Different breeds have different baseline tendencies, and individual personality still matters. A breed known for calm behavior can produce a nervous individual, while a typically nervous breed can produce an...
17 days ago • 1 min read
Pineapple guava fruit is ripening now in our Greenville, South Carolina garden. Despite its tropical flavor, this evergreen shrub can grow and fruit in climates much cooler than most people expect. Grow pineapple guava Pineapple guava, also called feijoa, can serve as an edible landscape plant, hedge, or small fruit tree. The guide compares cultivars, cold hardiness, mature size, self-fertility, and ripening time so you can choose a plant suited to your space and climate. Read the pineapple...
19 days ago • 1 min read
Maitake season runs from late summer through fall, depending on your climate and weather. These large clustered mushrooms can provide an impressive harvest, but identification comes before dinner. Find and identify maitake Maitake is also called hen of the woods. Our guide covers where it grows, the features used for identification, potential lookalikes, cleaning, storage, and several ways to cook it. Never eat a wild mushroom unless you are completely certain of its identity. Photos alone...
24 days ago • 1 min read
A few hardwood logs can become a small, long-lasting mushroom garden. The process looks technical when written out, but it comes down to drilling holes, adding shiitake plugs, sealing them, and letting the fungus colonize the wood. Grow shiitake on logs Start with recently cut hardwood logs with intact bark. Oak is ideal, although other suitable hardwoods can work. Drill holes in an offset diamond pattern, tap an inoculated plug into each hole, and seal the openings with food-grade wax....
24 days ago • 1 min read
Chestnuts are dropping from trees right now in the Southeast, but people are not the only ones watching. Squirrels, deer, and other wildlife can make quick work of a ripe crop. Harvest ripe chestnuts Look for burs that have browned, split open, and fallen. Harvest nuts every 1-2 days, wear very thick gloves, and bring a bucket. Only gather chestnuts on public land or private land where you have permission. Confirm that you have true edible chestnuts rather than horse chestnuts or buckeyes...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Chestnuts are falling now in the Southeast, which makes this the right time to think about the entire process: growing the trees, gathering the nuts, and turning the harvest into food. Grow and harvest chestnuts Chestnuts need sun, well-drained soil, and enough room for mature trees. You will also need at least two compatible trees close enough for cross-pollination. In warmer southern climates, fall is an excellent planting window. If you already have productive trees, gather fallen nuts...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
