You undoubtedly remember Johnny Appleseed, the real-life legend who planted apples all over North America. I've decided to follow in the footsteps of greatness, only I'm doing it with elderberries. Why elderberries you ask? Well in addition to making some damned fine meads, both elderflowers and elderberries have potent antiviral properties and may be helpful even against coronaviruses - see HERE and HERE.
These are likely Sambucus Canadensis and they grow wild and are native to Florida as well as many other parts of the country. Some of you that have been in these parts for a while may remember my elderberry picking adventures. I haven't done any picking lately due to time constraints and the fact that one of my best picking sites got developed.
Unfortunately, the ones I planted in my yard had to go. They are aggressive and grow like crazy and will take over your yard. They are also difficult to stop. You can cut them to the ground, and they sprout back and may even produce more berries. You can spray them with round-up and they can still survive. I had to cut them to the ground and spray them with weed-killer and repeat to finally clear them out. You can take a cutting and stick it in the ground and they can grow.
There are some living out along highway 27 where they grow wild, but I have to drive a fair distance, so I've decided I need to expand my options for picking. My plan is to discreetly take cuttings and plant them around some of the wet areas near the Fusel Shack. There is some land that is is reserved for wetlands and nature, and I am placing some cuttings to help get things going faster. These will be within an easy walk or bike ride from here and over the next 12 months, should ensure that I have a steady source of berries. I don't know if what I'm doing is exactly permissible, but these are native plants, and we are in the midst of a pandemic, so I'm taking some liberties. If someone decides they need to go, they are welcome to try to take them out (I wish them luck).
We will see how things go.
These are likely Sambucus Canadensis and they grow wild and are native to Florida as well as many other parts of the country. Some of you that have been in these parts for a while may remember my elderberry picking adventures. I haven't done any picking lately due to time constraints and the fact that one of my best picking sites got developed.
Unfortunately, the ones I planted in my yard had to go. They are aggressive and grow like crazy and will take over your yard. They are also difficult to stop. You can cut them to the ground, and they sprout back and may even produce more berries. You can spray them with round-up and they can still survive. I had to cut them to the ground and spray them with weed-killer and repeat to finally clear them out. You can take a cutting and stick it in the ground and they can grow.
There are some living out along highway 27 where they grow wild, but I have to drive a fair distance, so I've decided I need to expand my options for picking. My plan is to discreetly take cuttings and plant them around some of the wet areas near the Fusel Shack. There is some land that is is reserved for wetlands and nature, and I am placing some cuttings to help get things going faster. These will be within an easy walk or bike ride from here and over the next 12 months, should ensure that I have a steady source of berries. I don't know if what I'm doing is exactly permissible, but these are native plants, and we are in the midst of a pandemic, so I'm taking some liberties. If someone decides they need to go, they are welcome to try to take them out (I wish them luck).
We will see how things go.
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