Hedge Apples and Black Walnuts

Today was a B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L day in Central KY!  We took advantage of the perfect afternoon with a nature walk, um ride, to gather hedge apples and black walnuts.

Hedge apples are supposed to keep spiders away.  In fact, hedgeapple.com claims these pretty green fruits might keep other insects away as well.  This batch was collected for my MIL, who swears by their effectiveness.  I’ll probably gather some for myself soon to place in the basement.

After a litte encouragement from Nikki, we decided to collect several bags of the black walnuts that are abundantly falling all over the farm.  I’m hoping to be able to freeze several quart bags full for the year’s baking.  (I’m finding in hard to be able to afford nuts in the store these days!)  I’ll be sure to let you know how easy/hard the harvesting process is (for us anyway.)

The top picture is of my two big kids waiting for their ride home.  And in the bottom picture, little man is on his way to pick up those big kids.  By the way, if you live close, you’re welcome to come take your own nature trek for hedge apples or walnuts.  We have plenty.