Arizona Foraging with Cactus Kelly

05/15/2026

Ironwood beans are green, some turning tan and brown. They will have a harvest window from approximately May 20 to June 1. I boil the dark brown dry pods, and the beans swell up and are so delicious to eat like peanuts! Don't eat the pods, just the beans. I find it best to freeze the beans for 3 days after harvest, then store them in barrels or buckets with lids. Look for upcoming harvesting events I'll list on this page!

04/27/2026

Palo verde beans are perfectly ripe today ! The only time of the year to pick them.

04/10/2026

Come foraging with me this evening at 6:00 and every Friday evening for the next 2 months!
Register here: https://www.facebook.com/share/1aK8bXV3Nv/
or here:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/organizations/homegrown-foodshave
We'll harvest palo verde beans that are perfectly ripe, and ironwood blossoms, then come back to the kitchen and prepare and eat.

I welcome all fun friendly feisty ferocious foragers and newbies!

04/04/2026

This year the Ironwood trees are blossoming a month sooner than previous years. Not many are blossoming in the wild here..... only trees with irrigation in people's yards and common areas.

04/03/2026

Palo Verde blossoms raining down. The only kind of rain we've received since October here in Ahwatukee! My assistant Bo and I tapped a few blossoms down onto tarps to use in drinks and potions.
Next foraging class is Friday April 3rd at 6:00 p.m.
See my last post for a link to register for the event.

03/15/2026

Latest Cactus Kelly newsletter with spring schedule of classes:

Email from Cactus Kelly 4:30 on Sunday in Ahwatukee   Palo Verde buds and blossoms we'll harvest March 15th. Dear friendly, fun, flexible, free-spirited foragers, Join me in harvesting Palo Verde buds

03/15/2026

https://photos.app.goo.gl/r1JmTki46RA3eKUS7 Join me today!

03/14/2026

Join me for a foraging adventure March 15th! https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CdPvwQRwg/

Shared album · Tap to view!