Woodland Urban Farm, LLC

09/08/2024

09/10/2023

Nifty. Ever since I first learned of the existence of spicebush and its prevalence throughout southern Ohio, I wanted to find an example, but thought I never did. Turns out I've seen it most of my life and just didn't know what I was looking at.

Today I saw a bush I couldn't identify, so I ran it through Picturethis, and it said it was spicebush. A second picture from a different angle brought the same result. I sampled a berry. It wasn't horrible, and it was very flavorful. The best way I could describe the flavor is that it's similar to ginger.

Sources online compare it to allspice and say that it used to be used as a substitute for allspice back when it was expensive and hard to get. I found that, just in that spot, we have several bushes loaded with ripe berries.

Honestly, though, now about 20 minutes after having sampled that berry, I find it's left an aftertaste I don't really care for. It probably wouldn't bother everyone, but it kind of reminds me a little of green bell peppers, which I despise. There's also the linger of general "spiciness" that you'd have with mint or ginger or black pepper, and that's not unpleasant.

So, what I'm wondering is, is this stuff worth picking? Is there a market locally for the fresh berries? I'm sure the ODA wouldn't let me dry berries to sell, unless maybe they were sun-dried. I couldn't legally grind them into a powder to sell. They used to be used for tea. I doubt my family would be interested in them for that. They're also used medicinally, but the use is to make you sweat, which I've never needed any help with.

So do I bother picking this stuff? I like the idea of getting into selling spices and teas (though the ODA doesn't like it). I already grow garlic and onion and hot peppers. I've dried and powdered all but the onions. I just don't want to bother picking it and packing it if nobody's interested.

09/08/2023

Pawpaw canopy

07/19/2023

I brought this pretty girl home from Immaculata Farms today. What do you think I should I name her?

04/01/2023

April