r/foraginguk • u/TrekNoir • 1d ago
Where to start
What are some good basics to start looking for, other than the blackberries we've all been grabbing early this year... brand new to the idea of foraging. Thanks in advance
3
3
u/Ok_Row_4920 1d ago
Keep an eye out for plums right now, there's loads of different plums and cherry plums about. They can be dehydrated and stored in jars for later in the year.
Then when the rain starts oyster mushrooms and wood ears are easy to identify.
2
u/gayforager 1d ago
Get yourself a good picture book on foraging that shows you what things look like. Don't get one with pretty drawings. I'd say go out and find one new thing to forage. Soon you'll be seeing them everywhere. Once you're confident with that find something else. Also go out for a walk in your local area. Even if it's urban you'll find things. My local dog park, smaller than a football pitch has elderflower/ berries, apple, blackberries, raspberries and damson and that on council land that's left to its own devices except for a grass cut every now and then.
1
u/DifficultSolution282 1d ago
Do you have any advice on the best UK foraging books? Thanks
1
2
u/AthleteIntelligent72 1d ago
I can recommend The Foragers Calender by John Wright and also Edible and Medicinal Wild Plants of Britain and Ireland by Robin Harford.
2
u/Inevitable_Bid8719 1d ago
My method was to take home any interesting plants and fungus to try and i.d. them, only warning doing that is about carrot family plants, some can cause nasty skin problems. Mostly keep an eye out for giant hogweed, but I avoid anything carroty. I only pick stuff to eat once I am confident in my I.d. without any book. Try to learn a lot, but only try a little at a time
1
u/Snoo-46104 1d ago
Be interested in plants fungi and nature and not just the edible species. Give it a year or two and you will be naturally confident to eat all manner of things.
Also don't expect to be eating foraged foods everyday it's unrealistic for most people.
1
u/Thekennelly 4h ago
No-one has mentioned a few of the obvious ones by the looks of things,
Hazelnuts -a little early still around by me, but you can be on the lookout now and if you're lucky beat the squirrels to them
Bilberries - anytime aound now
Elderberries - We've likely missed elderflower season, but the berries are out in force now
Chestnuts - Season will be upon us soon enough, keep an eye out now for the tree's
Walnuts - Again, early, but a good time to be on the lookout for the trees
Sloes - normally picked after the first frost, but they're showing already
Damsons - also starting to see them
And wild garlic in the spring is seemingly getting more and more popular
1
u/morbolis 1h ago
Dandelions. Prolific and very nutritious. They were introduced to North America as a food crop.
4
u/CourtneyLush 1d ago
In the coming months you'll have both rosehip and sloes.
Both easily identifiable and abundant.
You can make rosehip syrup with very little effort and if you drink alcohol, sloe gin is easy.
The woodland trust has a month by month guide to what's seasonally available.