The definition of foraging is to go from place to place to search for food or other items, whether in the wild or an urban setting. I consider myself very fortunate to have grown up in a foraging family. We didn’t forage because we needed the wonderfully delicious wild foods we found in our local forests, beaches, and roadsides; we foraged because we loved being out in nature and for the thrill of finding, harvesting, and eating healthy, accessible, and organic wild foods.
Embarking on the journey into foraging wild foods can be daunting; it’s a vast subject with lots to learn. So many things can be foraged, both in the wild and as an urban forager. You are surrounded by edible and medicinal foods outside your door, down the street, or in the wilds.
The best place to start is to buy a comprehensive plant and mushroom identification book with clear, full-color photos referencing scientific names and common names. Your guidebook should also contain detailed information on how to harvest the plants and the edibility of each plant or fungi. You want to familiarize yourself with your local edible and medicinal plants, so ensure your guidebook is for your area.
I recommend you choose one local plant or mushroom at a time and thoroughly familiarize yourself with it. Learn everything you can about it: how and where it grows, which parts are edible or medicinal, how and when to harvest it, and how to prepare it as food. You don’t need to look far; many common “weeds,” such as dandelions, are edible and nutritious!
Always harvest ethically. Only take what you need, leaving enough of the plant or fungi behind so it can continue to grow and reproduce. If you are foraging in the wild, have a foraging buddy, and be sure to familiarize yourself with the locale you’re in. Learn how to use a compass, have a bottle of water, and a whistle to scare away wild animals if you encounter them.
If you’re harvesting in an urban setting, respect private property and always ask permission before picking or harvesting. I have met many neighbors by ringing their doorbells and asking if I could harvest from their yards. Research the rules and regulations for your city, county, state, or province, as there can be limits to harvesting, permits required, or other considerations. For example, in Canada, harvesting in provincial and federal parks is illegal.
The best part about foraging wild or urban plants and fungi is that it gets you out in nature, even when it’s the local park in your neighborhood! There is a world of edible and medicinal foods all around you!
Beyond the Garden Gate Botanicals inspires naturally-minded people to live with the seasons, become self-reliant, connect with nature, and protect their health and wellness through plant medicine and herbal living. No matter where you live, healing plants are right under your feet and towering above you. We live in a fantastic sea of natural medicines. The best plant medicines for you come from the plants in your environment, whether in your backyard or balcony garden, your local neighborhood, park, or town, or in the wilds that surround you past your city limits. Get out in nature; it’s good for you! http://www.beyondthegardengate.ca/
Megan Edge
Master Healer & Educator | Plant Medicine | Essential Oils | Wild CraftingAuthor: The Hearts Journey: Healing Hearts Oracle Cards & Guidebook
Beyond the Garden Gate Botanicals. http://www.beyondthegardengate.ca
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