It's delicious, nutritious, and may already be growing in your yard! by Gabe Popkin A few years ago I got a clump of a plant called cutleaf coneflower from a neighbor. I planted it and it took off. Once it started spreading, I dug up clumps from my own yard and started new patches elsewhere.... Continue Reading →
Plant of the Month: Pussytoes
By Kathy Shollenberger. Photos by Kelly Lawhorn, Chesapeake Natives There are many varieties of pussytoes; the one in the Food Forest is Parlin’s pussytoes. It’s in the Food Forest because it provides nectar for pollinators and serves as a host plant for the American Lady and Painted Lady butterflies. It shelters the butterfly’s eggs and... Continue Reading →
Plant of the Month: Comfrey
The comfrey at the Food Forest is growing like crazy, so bring a scissors and cut some leaves. It has been touted as the best plant to have in your garden, for numerous reasons. It's long been used for its curative powers, in easing aches and pains and healing bruises. It's easy to make... Continue Reading →
Plant of the Month: Bird House Gourds
Bird House Gourds are growing like crazy at the Food Forest. They are also known as Calabash, or Bottle Gourds. Each of these flowers-- Should produce one of these gourds-- Wouldn't you love to hang a Bird House Gourd in your back yard? When they are ready this fall, harvest one and put it in... Continue Reading →
Plant of the Month: Arapaho Thornless Blackberry
If you head to the Food Forest now, you will see blackberries -- not many, but it's the first season after all. Our specimen comes from Edible Landscaping, located in Afton, Virginia, near Charlottesville. This is what they say about the Arapaho Thornless Blackberry: The outstanding characteristics of Arapaho are its thornless, erect, self supporting... Continue Reading →