mulberry trees, a fern, and a terrarium

[sixbeforelunch]

I went for a walk today and actually remembered to take my camera for once.



This is a mulberry tree. If I remember correctly from last summer, they're red mulberries. The berries should be ripe in the next month or so, at which point I will go back here make a pig of myself. (This particular tree is on an abandoned lot, and hangs over onto the sidewalk, so I don't think anyone will object if I try to harvest enough to make a pie this year. :)





Close up of a neighbor's fern.



I made my first terrarium today.



I took several photos, but this was the only one that was even half-way decent. I think it turned out pretty well for my first attempt.

Comments

[shirebound]

I've never tasted mulberries!

[sasha_feather]

That 3rd picture is of a hosta. :)

Nice photos!

[sixbeforelunch]

If you ever have the chance, I recommend giving them a try. They are very sweet. The red ones have a hint of tartness while the white ones are just pure sweetness. They can be dry, but if the weather has been fair all spring, they're really juicy. Be prepared that you will end up with juice all over your hands. They're also extremely fragile and can't be stored in their whole form in any convenient way. (This is why my plan is to go home and make pie immediately after harvesting.) I suspect it's why they've never been commercially produced for the produce section.

[sixbeforelunch]

Thank you! I'm terrible at plant names. Now I know.

And thanks for the feedback as well. :)

[blackmare]

Other note about hostas: they bloom! They put up long stalks with flowers that are usually white, pink, or pale purple, and a lot of them are quite fragrant.

I'm in Minnesota and EVERYONE grows them here, as they seem to be very low-maintenance and they do well in shady areas.

[blackmare]

Mmm, mulberries. We had a tree on the street where I grew up, and the ripe fruit on that one was deep black-purple, and would insta-stain basically anything it came into contact with.

I've never made anything from mulberries. My brother and I would just climb the tree and eat.

[sixbeforelunch]

I've never made anything from them before, but I remember this tree spilling berries all over the sidewalk and making a mess last year and I had the idea of taking up a bunch and seeing if I can make pie. It will definitely be an experiment. *g*

[sixbeforelunch]

Oh, neat! I will have to keep an eye on my neighbors plant to see what color it blooms.