Eileen McCabe

To those in the US Pacific Northwest, have you found effective deterrants to Stellar Jays? They have completely denuded 2 trees in a matter of days. I have hung mylar strips from the branches of 2 other trees, but I still see them perching in the trees. Help!

In greater Seattle, curly or bitter dock are abundant. I have heard of harvesting the seeds for flour. Has anyone done this? How have you separated the seed from the brown papery covering?

I have heard of using sorghum (broom corn) stalks and tops for broom making. Has any one used broom or dock for making brooms? Any tips?

Thank you Cathy. Did you dry the canes before shredding? I am planning a similar process, mixing the shredded cane with straw. I want to use 5 gallon buckets with 1/4" holes covered with surgical tape. I have used the 5 gallon bucket method with oyster mushrooms before using just straw for the substrate, first soaked in lime water to sterilize it.

Do you soak or treat the leaves in any way before using? Do you have any photos to share of how you have used them. Thank you.

Has anyone used daylily stems and leaves for basketry?

To clarify, it is the Turkish ones that are not bearing. I started them from sprouted nuts from a pair of trees that have been bearing consistently for many years. The originating trees do not have a pollinator of another variety.  Do they need to be pruned back? I have heard that hazel nuts  bear better when pruned rather severely. Can anyone confirm that from their own experience?

There is a look-alike. Crush the leaves. If it has no smell, it isn't ground ivy. If it has a strong smell, it probably is.

I have not found it to be allopathic where I have it growing. In amongst it are salal, broom, buttercup, daylily, rue, carolina cranesbill, fireweed, chicory, English plantain and feverfew.

I use ground ivy as a tea to relieve head congestion particularly in the ears. I have also used it to clarify and flavor beer.