Asimina triloba dropping from trees in Central Virginia. Foraged on the way to the farm. Our first finds of the year in Afton Virginia. We collected 50 seeds from these pawpaws and have them stored to cold stratify over the winter. Almost another inch last week in Buckingham Virginia and more opportunities for storms in the next few days. We spread little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) seeds around the exposed areas at risk of runoff in storms yesterday. Another blue jay feather found up top near the driveway.Chantharellus cinnabarinus, red chanterelle, found throughout SAFF. A choice edible with false gills and bright red color found along wet weather lines. They are smaller than other chanterelles and hold up well in the pan. Aureoboletus innixus, clustered brown bolete, found near an oak. These are edible but we haven’t tried them. Pawpaws still hanging on in the clonal colony. We’ve been checking on them every time we’ve been out to SAFF.Annona cherimola, cherimoya, tree sprouting on the deck. This is a tropical tree which will need to be protected from our cold Virginia winters. Ganoderma growing along the main waterway at SAFF. Persimmon ripening on the trees up top.
We’ve been busy clearing paths for the tractor through the pawpaw seedling orchard, planting little bluestem on exposed ground and preparing to plant this year’s Asimina triloba seedlings. We have also cleared out some pines and hardwood trees crowded in around our American Persimmon trees and created an orchard up top near the road for them. Also, we planted several Juglans Regis, Persian walnut trees in the main clearing at SAFF. We have also been researching solar kits for home and SAFF and can’t wait to get what we need ordered and installed.
The past weekend has been a nice taste of cooler, fall weather on the way. The highs have been in the 80s yet there has been a nice breeze and crispness in the morning. We’ve been feeling so grateful for everything and especially the rain and the cooler temperatures.
Saint Andrews Forest Farm 