Last week, I took the kids acorn gathering after school. The rain hadn’t really started in yet, and it seemed about the right time. My favorite spot is the middle of the University of Oregon campus, because they have good oak varieties that are really well cared for and well watered, thus producing abundant, fat acorns. Also, it’s a lot of fun to have all the college students bustling about between classes asking about what you’re doing. They usually can’t fathom taking all that time to process them, but are really glad to know about all that free food lying around the campus.
It turned out to be an excellent acorn year, and the kids filled their baskets (and mine) in almost no time at all. I think they’re getting faster than me.
We took a few breaks to just sit and people watch, or contemplate acorns.
My son discovered this little oak seedling, which really delighted him.
Then they spent the rest of the time pretending to be squirrels. Since our baskets were filled to the brim, they enjoyed the October afternoon climbing trees and throwing nuts at each other. The college students passing by were so entertained, they stopped asking us what we were doing.
It’s a good time of year to be like a squirrel.
Here is a past post on acorn gathering and processing:
And my acorn pancake recipe: Acorn Pancakes
Hello!
I'm just starting collecting acorns and I'm wondering about slightly sprouted/rooting ones. Those should be fine , right since that's not an indicator if bugs moving in but very ripe acorns.
That's funny, we've been having such warm weather that mine did the same thing. I have a bunch of sprouted acorns in my basket that I need to process. I am thinking of them like sprouted almonds, and considering it a good thing. We shall both see what happens, but my guess is it's fine. Happy acorn processing!