Foraging is possible any time of year and accessible to everyone. Yes- even if you live in a city! Learn how you can create a relationship with the natural world by learning how to forage.
Humans have always been foragers. Many of us have never completely stopped. Some of us know a fun guy or ‘fungi’ 😉 who searches for mushrooms every fall, or knows of so and so’s great- grandma who picked mulberries every season for a summer pie.
For most of our existence on this planet, we have had an intimate relationship with all living things on our landscape that nourish us.
Rediscovering this primal part of being human has really enriched my life in so many ways. I hope I can inspire you ‘meet’ your local landscapes species and feel this connection too.
Below are my recommendations on how to get started.
Why Learn to Forage
“Because it contains all the good things in life, seamlessly folded into a single activity.”
Sam Thayer, Incredible Wild Edibles
I love how Sam Thayer puts it in his book, Incredible Wild Edibles, and I really find this to be true- fresh air, hiking, chatting with a loved one or friend right in the backdrop of your town.
Bring a sense of wonder. Learning to forage as an adult brings a feeling of joy and surprise you can only compare to when you were 8 years old and still exploring the world around you.
Rewild your palate & create special crafts. I remember the first time I tasted sumac ‘lemonade’ or acorn pancakes. There are flavors out there you just cannot get anywhere else. You know how scent and flavor can instantly transport you to a memory? I have many nice memories connected to tasting forgeables for the first time.
Learn How To Forage By Identifying Wild Plants and Fungi
Foraging should be a fun endeavor and learning to identify should never be rushed. Your curiosity will get you really far but learning will likely never be finished – you will be learning something new every year! Embrace the journey and get out there in your landscape.
You can start your journey by one of two ways:
Paid plant walks, workshops, clubs or a local mentor
Many areas offer plant walks and workshops these days and most areas have a mushroom society. Groups like these are also a great way to meet like-minded people.
Mentors can be found anywhere but you may need to be a little more lucky to find someone like this. You may be fortunate enough to know an ‘old-timer’ who knows the area in and out and willing to help you. Just be sure to make sure you are courteous with their time, apply their advice, and be sure it is a fair exchange.
Even if you start with outside help with plant walks, workshops, clubs or a mentor, you will still need learn independently – discussed more next.
Independent learning
If a local group is not available to you in your area (it wasn’t for me when I first started) you can start to learn on your own. I recommend purchasing a localized foraging guide to start with. These books will have common species in your area along with common poisonous ones.
Many of us do not have access to a large forest or anything close to it. If you live in a city, an urban foraging book may be best to start with in this situation. There are great urban foraging books that cover a broad bio region with common species. They also help you learn how to spot likely contaminated areas.
Tips On How To Be 100% Sure
- Bring your foraging guide and phone to take pictures of what you are trying to identify. Take detailed photos, and if possible, record anything else you notice that you may not be able to show in a photograph. For example, how it smells, what else is growing around it, and habitat. Pro tip: speak into your phone video camera for this- it’s a lot quicker.
- When you get home, compare photos, cross reference with other guides- several if possible. Do not skip the text descriptions!
- Learn basic leaf shapes, flower types, and other special species identifiers. Your foraging/identification books will expand on this and other helpful ways to identify.
- Keep in mind, you may not be able to ‘try’ many of the species you are attempting to identify this season, you might need to wait till next season.
- If you really want to experiment and gain confidence, try some of the common forgeable species that are usually recommended to beginners. As always, be 100% sure before you have the correct plant before consuming even if it is an ‘easy’ plant.
Equipment
This is a list for the brand new forager. Not unlike any new hobby or endeavor, you could start off spending hundreds of dollars, or be resourceful and minimal. Shop your house first for supplies.
Eventually, as you become more advanced, you will likely expand your list for more efficient tools.
Containers/Bags: Small paper bags, silicone or ziplock bags, basket for mushroom foraging or collecting tree fruit. This will cover a lot for the beginner.
Pocket Knife or Scissors
Phone (for camera): Essential for identifying new-to-you species!
Foraging Guide Book
Important Safety To Keep In Mind
Fear can keep many people from learning how to forage. People in your life (or strangers) who are not familiar with foraging will also caution and scare you. While fear can keep us safe in dangerous situations and most people are well intentioned with their concerns, please understand with responsibility, you can forage safely. With that said:
Never rush into eating a plant you are not 100% sure of
Do not force the species description to ‘fit’
Check for possible polluted areas
Confirm you are allowed to forage in the area or ask for permission.
Ethics & Sustainable Foraging
While it is true that humans are known to devastate eco systems – almost always motivated by profit, it is important to note that foraging can and does co-exist with being good stewards of the land. We protect what we know and love.
Your foraging guide will expand on general sustainability and recommendations for any given species, but here are some tips to keep in mind to get started:
Learn the protected and endangered species in your area
Harvest only where there is an abundance*
Pick only what can be easily rejuvenated in an area*
Collect only what you will use*
Give Thanks
*The exception to the above guidelines are invasive species. In this case, harvest as much as you would like!
Beginner Plants To Forage
Common Dandelion – Who doesn’t know this sunny flower? Invasive in all of the U.S. All parts are edible considering it hasn’t been sprayed with nasty chemicals.
Tree Nuts (Acorns from the Oak tree, Pecans, Walnuts, etc)
Violets – Common in many mountainous areas and easy to grow in a garden in most zones.
Mullein – An invasive species in most areas in the U.S. Many medicinal uses.
Purslane – Seen as a weed to many personal gardens and known to grow out of cracks of concrete.
Additional Tips
- Keep a foraging journal – When you become familiar with a species, and find a good and sustainable spot to forage, record where it is and time of year harvested. You will be happy you did in upcoming years!
- Consider growing your favorites at home – There are many native plants that all look great in a thoughtfully landscaped area. Additionally, the plants will also be free of chemicals.
Non-Region Specific Books and Resources
Urban Foraging by Lisa M. Rose
North American Mycological Society
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