Monthly Archives: August 2019

Canning can be a rewarding hobby

Posted on August 28, 2019 by tedmanzer

When I was young, home-canned fruits and vegetables were a mainstay of our diets. I especially loved the jams and jellies, particularly wild strawberry. There was never a problem finding canning supplies in stores. The home-canning supplies seemed to dwindle … Continue reading →

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Many poisonous mushrooms await foraging greenhorns

Posted on August 27, 2019 by tedmanzer

I’ve never been one to promote mushroom foraging even though I do it myself, and there are many relatively safe fungi out there. Too many poisonous lookalikes abound. I’ve taught long enough to know that no matter how concrete and … Continue reading →

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Joe-Pye weed is a pasture nightmare but a hot perennial ornamental

Posted on August 27, 2019 by tedmanzer

My father-in-law fought this weed voraciously. It would sometimes fill up the hillsides and bottoms, hiding his cattle. Sometimes it seemed the more he clipped it, the thicker it got. He would turn over in his grave if he saw … Continue reading →

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Sunflowers are a symbol of summer

Posted on August 14, 2019 by tedmanzer

We don’t grow many sunflowers commercially in this part of the country, but they are one of our most recognizable flowers. Many folks grow them on a small scale. There are so many reasons to grow sunflowers. They are beautiful, … Continue reading →

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Rhinoceros beetles are menacing looking but completely harmless

Posted on August 13, 2019 by tedmanzer

Occasionally, someone will bring in a large curious-looking insect for me to identify. Males have a big horn-like structure on their heads. Females have no horns. These insects are in the group called scarab beetles. Their major colors are greenish … Continue reading →

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