Wild Edibles

Gardeners often swear at them, and green lawn lovers typically nuke them with poisonous sprays. But dandelions are also important wildlife food, a boon for early spring pollinators - and a superb health food!

Many residents of our region might be surprised to learn that watercress is not only a wild vegetable but is also officially classified as a superfood.

Perhaps some folks would think that the last place someone would seek out oysters would be the Blue Ridge Mountain region. But if your quest involves oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus), then you’ve definitely come to the right place.

Some effort is required to eat shagbark hickory nuts, but it’s a worthwhile enterprise as the nutmeat inside features a delightfully sweet aroma.