Spice bush

[Turock]

I agree---I'm very fortunate to live in an area where many good plants grow natively. You should see how many leeks grow on the ravine in back of the house. It's entirely covered in them in the spring. I also have native shallots on the property, black raspberry,etc. I've found wild orchards and blue bells growing down by the river.

I'll check out the berries and let you know--altho it might not be this year.

 

[spunk]

I'm jealous sounds great wish I had enough land for all the natives flowers berries mushrooms. I would be out in it everyday. That I could anyhow.

 

[Turock]

My woods borders the Boy Scout camp---so all the woods is left in its natural state. The State of Ohio did a flora survey of this woods a few years ago and it holds so many special species of plants that it is now under a conservencey so that it can never be sold for development. It truly is a special place and I feel very grateful to have a piece of property out here on the border of the camp, where there aren't many pieces of private land--only a few that the camp reserved because the homeowners at the boundary keep the camp safe from strangers trying to enter the camp property. The other side of the road is all Girl Scout camp--so living out here has the feeling like you're the only person on earth. You never see people, and you might only have one neighbor---who you can't even see because of all the trees. My secret desire was always to be a hermit--I've almost succeeded in that, living out here!!

 

[spunk]

Cool cheif logan? Im from ohio my son went there 6 years or so still goes back for a day or so. I saw land for sale last year close to the camp. Would have loved it. Didnt know all that about the conservency. That makes it even more appealing . It is niceout there if thats where your talking a out. Ever camp in the Ohio power era camping? It is nice gives you that feeling of being with nature. A hermit I would need all my animals though.someday maybe ill get some land.

 

[Turock]

It's the Firelands Scout Reservation and the Girl Scout camp on the other side of the road is Camp Timberlane. I never go camping, since building this house. It's like my own private camp ground here, but with a permanent house on it. Almost like a vacation home--but you never leave!!! The only animals I have are dogs--I just don't have alot of time for other animals as I'm still wotking on finishing the house and putting in landscaping, cutting wood, etc. AND making wine, of course. AND mowing lawn---this place keeps me busy. I need no other avocations in life.

Finding your own land and building a house that suits your hobbies is a great thing, I'll tell ya. I've never regretted moving out here.

 

[spunk]

I bet it does keep you busy. Never ending. Im not familiar with that scout camp. Camping all the time sounds fine.

 

[spunk]

My spice bush had 8 berries on it. Wow lol any how ate one. Taste good. The seed is a bit peppery the flesh is kinda sweet and citrus. It was pretty good.

 

[Turock]

That's sounds interesting!! I'm gonna have to try them next year IF they bloom. They're talking about another cold winter this year so we'll have to see. But if I have berries next year, I'm going to try some things with them. Thanks for the update!!

 

[spunk]

I hope they are wrong about winter. I do not want to repeat last year.that may mean no cherries again.i lost a lot of plants too last year.tonight I crushed three spice berries used with my pork chops.it was tasty

 

[Turock]

Wow---that sounds great. I definitely will try some cooking with them. Drying them and using them in a rub would be good too, I'll bet. I hear ya--I don't mind a cold and snowy winter--but not those long and deep cold spells like last year.

 

[spunk]

I don't think that they would dry well they a bit oily. I would freeze whole. I'm going to try them with my pickling peppers and pickles. Instead of allspice. They would nice in jars add color. That's is if I get any next year.

 

[Turock]

ANOTHER good idea!!!!

I had read that the old-timers did dry them. But the oils would probably give alot of flavor. I sure hope I can try this next year, as I have many spicbush at the edge of the woods. And more a coming up every year!!

 

[spunk]

@Turock found a local place in columbus had paw paw mead that had spice bush berries in it. I tryed it called sour paw paw was reminded me of lemon aid.

 

[Turock]

I wonder how they would taste in something like Niagara wine??? It might be fun to try making an extract from them--you know, the berries in a bottle of vodka. Lots of ideas here. Well, we'll see how things bloom up this spring. Was pretty cold long-term here this winter. Just hope we don't have any late frosts.

 

[spunk]

Yea we have had some nice days lately hope it's going to stay. No ... snow in may or late April I would like to have cherries this year.