About tedmanzer
I grew up in Old Town Maine and got a B.S. at the University of Maine in Plant Sciences/ minor in Botany. From there I moved to West Virginia and earned a M.S. in Agronomy at WVU. I also met my wife there. She grew up in rural WV as the daughter of tenant farmers who raised cattle and hogs. Their lifestyle at times was one of subsistence and I learned a lot from them. I've always been a foraging buff, but combining my formal botanical knowledge with their practical 'Foxfire-type' background opened up my eyes a little more.
I recently retired from teaching high school agriculture after 25 years teaching with my wife. Until recently I wrote a weekly nature/foraging column for the local paper (dailyadvance.com). I also have written several Christian nature/adventure novels that can be purchased on Amazon in paperback and in Kindle format. One is a five book family saga I call the 'Forgotten Virtues' series. In the first book, Never Alone, a young boy comes of age after his father dies in a plane crash, and he has to make it alone. The second book, Strange Courage, takes Carl from his High School graduation to his recovery from a nasty divorce. The third book, Second Chances, takes Carl from his ex-wife's death and the custody of his son to his heroic death at age 59. The fourth book, Promises Kept, depicts how his grandchildren react and adjust to his death (this one is not yet published). In the final book, Grandfather's Way, his youngest and most timid granddaughter emerges from the shadow of her overachieving family and accomplishes more in four months than most do in a lifetime. I use many foraging references with a lot of the plants I profile in these articles in those books. I also wrote a romance novel titled Virginia, set in rural West Virginia in the early 1980s. It is available on Amazon and is a different type of romance from a man's perspective.
I’m no fan of resident geese. Canada geese are not supposed to stick around all summer. They are supposed to fly north in the spring. I do admit they’re pretty, and I like the honking call, but Northern Canada is … Continue reading →
Woody climbing vines get a bad name for their invasiveness and ability to cover desirable landscaping. They do have their niche though. Chocolate vine is an aggressive climber and can provide a dense screen in just a few years. It … Continue reading →
There is probably not a more versatile plant in our landscape than rosemary. It makes a great hedge, tolerates salt spray, dry sandy soils, smells great, has medicinal properties and is a tasty spice. This fragrant shrub lends itself to … Continue reading →
Posted in foraging
|
Tagged diuretic, foraging, gardening, herb, marinade, medicinal, nature, perennial, rosemary, simmering potpourri, spice, woody
|
In northern climates lilac makes a beautiful large shrub to small tree. It has showy cone-like fragrant inflorescences in spring. Lilac struggles in our climate but we have a great alternative in Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus). Also called chaste tree it … Continue reading →
Posted in foraging
|
Tagged aromatic herb, berries, BPH, Chaste tree, fertility, foraging, medicinal, menopause, Monk's pepper, nature, progesterone-estrogen balance, Vitex, Vitex agnus castus, woman's herb
|
When I was a kid my father told me that once the goldenrod bloomed summer was over. I always associated goldenrod with the start of school. In general this is true, but the genus Solidago has over a hundred species … Continue reading →
Right now it’s not one of the more common roadside plants in eastern Carolina. That might change in the next few years. If you take a drive north or west for any distance you’ll begin to see more of it. … Continue reading →
Posted in foraging
|
Tagged chicory, coffee additive, coffee substitute, endive, foraging, medicinal, nature, perennial, roadside weed, succory, wildlife food
|
Check out the sunny wet areas along our roadsides and you can’t miss them. This early July heat is speeding their maturity, but they look like they are hanging tough. Huge white or pink blooms now adorn our landscape. Individual … Continue reading →
One of the pleasures of living in the south is the plethora of plants we can grow in our yards. Growing up in Maine, I probably appreciate the diversity here more than most. When one is limited to plants that … Continue reading →
Posted in foraging
|
Tagged allergies, Black Mission, Brown Turkey, calorie dense, Celeste, Conadria, figs, green fruit beetles, latex, perishable, skin reaction, specimen plant
|
I was in Maine recently doing some maintenance work on a cabin my father built in 1962. Roberta and I were about to take a dip in the lake when we had the privilege of observing a young bull moose … Continue reading →
It’s now in full bloom. Some think the flowers are gorgeous and want one in their yard. Maybe if they quit mowing their lawn they’d get their wish. The mimosa is that ‘Dr. Seuss-like’ tree with spreading branches and copious … Continue reading →
Posted in foraging
|
Tagged Albizia julibrissin, bean family, bipinnate leaves, dense canopy, Dr. Suess tree, fast growing, feathery appearance, fragrant pink blooms, mimosa, nature, plants, short lived, silk tree, tiny leaflets
|
tedmanzer 