Showing posts with label mushrooms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mushrooms. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

What's Growing?

I wish I knew how to tell the difference between edible mushrooms and poisonous mushrooms. Yes, I have books, but honestly, would you eat a mushroom based on a book's description? I don't think so!

This fungus is growing off the cut stump of a rotted out Poplar tree. We cut it down last fall and the stump was chock full of grubs which we threw to the fish in the pond. We didn't have chickens then, or they would have gotten them instead. I found three grubs this spring and gave them to the chicks, which were really small at the time. I remember that Roo got one and swallowed it with great effort. It nearly filled his crop and left a funny bump on his chest!

This iron kettle is a focal point of the landscaping in front of the house. I am sticking to my purple and yellow color scheme and so far it looks really nice. I am amazed at the variety of purple and yellow plants that are available. My beds are looking so much nicer than the hodge-podge garden I had at our old house. It finally looks like the gardener has her act together!

I decided to use something unique for the center plant. Instead of using the typical spike plant, I stuck a dill in there. It has nice frilly foliage in a cool shade of green, and I can use it in the kitchen as well. I love anything that has a dual purpose.

Friday, May 9, 2008

Hawthorns in Bloom

Just a quick entry before I go to bed. I looked out the glass doors while eating dinner last night and noticed that the Hawthorn trees are blooming. After dinner, I grabbed my camera and Derek and I hiked out to the fence row to take photos of this beautiful tree.

Hawthorns are great ornamental trees and they provide large berries for wildlife as well. They also have long black thorns here and there along their branches which adds to their interest. If you are looking for a small ornamental tree for your yard, consider planting a Hawthorn.

Beneath the Hawthorn tree was a dead log with this large bracket fungus growing from it. I thought it was very interesting. One of you mushroom experts will have to tell me what it is.