Deep Hollow Forest Farm

10/07/2026

https://youtu.be/nap9XTemtr4?is=1AOC_Fb_6VDL4f36

Brian Scott of PA Preferred Deep Hollow Forest Farm shares his scru...

09/26/2026

I get asked alot: what book do I recommend for identifying wild mushrooms. And I usually say something unhelpful like "the one with the dark cover and the pholiotas on it" leaving everyone just a little more confused. So that I can find it in the future, these are the books I have most often turned to. If I want to identify a non-bolete mushroom, I pull two books off the shelf: Appalachian Mushrooms and Mushrooms of the Northeastern United Stares and Eastern Canada. I find them both to be very useful, and they both have good keys. Which brings me to a point: if you want to learn to identify mushrooms you have to pay attention to little details and you have to learn to use a dichotomus key. Don't think of these as books where you just look for a matching picture. It takes practice and focus to identify many mushrooms, (which is why I often don't know what the mushroom you're showing me is: lack of focus on my part🤷‍♂️). That said, some are easier than others and you CAN learn at least some of them.
Book #3: Boletes of Eastern North America (there is a newer edition than what I have). This (or the newer edition) is the bible for identifying boletes (cap and stem mushrooms with pores rather than gills). Given how worn my copy is, I should be much better at identifying boletes than I am. This book has very good keys.
Book #4: Mushrooms of the Northeast is a pocket sized guide and is easy to fit in a backpack and though small, has a surprising number of the mushrooms that catch my eye.
I have others, (and will certainly have more in the future), but these are the 4 I've spent the most time with.
Keep in mind that there are 7000+ species of mushrooms documented in Pennsylvania and the mushroom you are looking at may not be in your book, but you can often at least figure out the genus.
So what mushroom books have you found most useful? I'd love suggestions

09/23/2026

Meet the wild maitake, highly sought after by those in the know. This mushroom goes by many names: hen of the woods, sheepshead, rams head, maitake or more scientifically Grifola frondosa. They grow wild at the base of oak trees in the fall. On dry years we don't get much, but this fall iis turning out to be a great year for these beauties. There are many ways to cook them, they can be sauteed, are excellent grilled and make good soul mushrooms. s method of cooking them as a mushroom steak is one of my favorites. I anticipate having them at all markets the next few weeks, but the season doesn't last long so get them while you can. If you'd like a larger amount for your restaraunt or to preserve, there are bulk discounts available, DM for info. What's your favorite way to prepare them? There are alot of traditions around ramshead in Pennsylvania, I'd love to hear yours!

09/21/2026

It's hen of the woods (aka maitake, sheepshead, rams head) season! It's lookchiceing like an abundant year! These wild mushrooms will be available at all our markets this week. What is your favorite way to cook it?

09/11/2026

It's pawpaw season! Did you know we have a large tropical tasting wild fruit in Pennsylvania? I know some of you do as I've been getting alot of qestions about when I'd have them at market. The time is here! I'll have the at market on Friday, Saturday and on Tue. The season is short, so come get them while they're available!

08/08/2026

It's cauliflower mushroom time! The cauliflower mushroom, aka Sparassis spathulata, is a delicious wild mushroom that is starting to show up right now. It can be used as an egg noodle substitute, sauteeed, used in soup or can even be made into a mushroom steak! Pro tip: these mushrooms hold alot of water so it's a good idea to start with a dry pan and cook until the mushroom releases some water. I'll have these beauties at on Saturday.
Have you had cauliflower mushrooms before? What is your favorite way to prepare them?

08/04/2026

It's elderberry season and we'll have them at all our markets this week! This under appreciated native fruit is best cooked and makes excellent jelly, baked goods and syrup. We also have dried elderberries that can be used for tea, syrup, etc. It's a limited season so look up your recipes and come see us at on Tue, market in Fri, and on Saturday!

07/17/2026

PA Open Air Market today, North Atherton Farmer's Market on Saturday!

07/13/2026

This is a good week to stock up on mushrooms folks! They are abundant AND I'm taking next week off. Find us at Tuesday, the market Friday, and on Saturday this week!

06/26/2026

A Friday update: today will be our last day at Crossroads in Gratz, and we will only be there until 1:00. We will continue to be at the market on Fridays and local folks can also arange an on farm pick up. Thank you to everyone who has been supporting us!