Monthly Archives: October 2010

Sweet potato harvest (or not)

Posted on October 30, 2010 by Angelyn

Last night the temperature dropped below freezing and we had our first frost of the season.  When I awoke this morning I thought about the white sweet potatoes I planted in June. I knew it must be close to time … Continue reading →

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The allure of ginseng

Posted on October 26, 2010 by Angelyn

Ever since a friend and I found this ginseng plant growing (and previously flowering) near where she lives, I have been intrigued by ginseng (Panax quinquefolius).  I looked up information about it in identification books, in medicinal herb books and … Continue reading →

Posted in Conscious nature collaboration, Herbs, Native plants | 2 Comments

Where can I find witch hazel?

Posted on October 24, 2010 by Angelyn

The idea of a plant that blooms in the winter intrigues me.  Supposedly this area provides favorable conditions for witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) to grow.  I’ve only seen color photos of witch hazel blooms and not the leaves.  As I … Continue reading →

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Spicebush

Posted on October 23, 2010 by Angelyn

My latest photography project is to capture plants in their fall foliage.  In the past I focussed on plants when they were blooming and neglected later phases of their lives.  Tonight I processed photos taken a few days ago and … Continue reading →

Posted in Herbal medicine making, Native plants | 1 Comment

Woods wandering

Posted on October 20, 2010 by Angelyn

On this gorgeous fall day I decided to wander the woods in an area I infrequently visit — the slope above my house.  I found two of these American chestnut (Castanea dentata) trees.  No, they are not large because most … Continue reading →

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Cherry bark

Posted on October 16, 2010 by Angelyn

I recently received the gift of a broken limb from a wild black cherry tree (Prunus serotina).  Portions of it were a perfect size for obtaining fresh cherry bark for a tincture or a cough syrup.  When I got the … Continue reading →

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Harvesting and sowing seed (with toad)

Posted on October 10, 2010 by Angelyn

I am a seed saver.  My tendency has always been to let plants go to seed just so I can observe and photographically document the process.  Another benefit is that I have seed from plants which grew in my garden … Continue reading →

Posted in Amphibians, Conscious nature collaboration, Vegetable garden | 2 Comments

Found veggies stir fry

Posted on October 8, 2010 by Angelyn

I visited the vegetable garden which is recovering from the dry hot summer weather.  The vegetables did not do well this year–especially since I did not water them during the dry weather.  So I was delighted to discover these two … Continue reading →

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Eastern milk snake tied in knot

Posted on October 7, 2010 by Angelyn

One of my cats found this Eastern milk snake and was doing the usual cat-thing of tossing it around.  I managed to get the snake to a safer place and keep the cats away.  An odd thing about this particular … Continue reading →

Posted in Snakes | 2 Comments

Of valerian and garlic

Posted on October 3, 2010 by Angelyn

This photo shows my “mother” valerian (Valeriana officinalis) plant which I grew from seed a few years ago.  Each year it comes back larger and stronger.  Two years ago I noticed another valerian plant growing some distance away from this … Continue reading →

Posted in Conscious nature collaboration, Herbal medicine making, Herbs | 2 Comments