Hello there foragers and gatherers!
I’ve transitioned instances, but I am the one running this community. Hoping to grow this community now that the long cold winter is finally coming to and end, at least here in Scandinavia. It’s been a while since anything has happened in this community, most likely due to the winter and there not being many possibilities for foraging that time of year. However, it’s now warming up, so it would be super nice to see some more activity in this community again, and I’ll do my best to put the word out there that this community exists for more to join.
Here are a few things I plan on doing this spring! ☘️
- One of my all-time favourite things to do gather during the spring is birch sap! But please do be careful how you do this, as it can heavily damage a tree. It’s a very healthy drink and tastes super good. Here is a video that let’s you know how to do it :) This sap can also be turned into syrup which is great for desserts and drinks. Let me know if there is any interest on this syrup and I’ll write up a guide on how to do it!
Plants and herbs I try to look for during Spring:
- Wild garlic, ramsons, and victory onion - The wild gourmet onions
- Nettle - wild spinach
- Ground elder - nature’s wild parsley
- Garlic mustard - wild garlic
- Rowan tree leaf(sprouts) - the forest’s marzipan
- Maple tree blossoms - the forest’s nectar fireworks
- Sorrel - the taste of spring
- Ground elder shoots - Nature’s answer to vanilla
Let me know what you’re planning on foraging in the next few weeks, and happy foraging! 🍄
I haven’t seen anything where I’m at so far, but things will start popping soon I’m sure!
Spring is just around the corner! 🌞
Every time a step a foot outside this week, I thought “how lush and rich all the plants have gotten. And they seem so tender at the same time”. If people weren’t waking their dogs here, I could have fully filled my fridge with wild vegetables : plantains (the herb not the banana), dandelions, red dead-nettles. I also thought I recognised huge quantity of Queen Anne’s lace, but I won’t try to eat this one.
And I know before I check that further away, the round-leafed mint muss be giving new sprigs. Lawn daily also never stop to bloom during our mild winter but they looks really better know.I really need to grab my bags and go for a walk in a quiet place.
I haven’t tried to taste nettle yet but there is plenty of it everywhere.
And I plant to learn how to recognised sorrel and cow parsnip this spring.[wikipedia translation for the plants names]
Sounds good! Look forward seeing pictures or stories of your findings <3
I just started foraging recently and I have one question about foraging in alleyways. I know to avoid plants on the side of the road since they can contain heavy metals and dust particles but what about small alleyways? The side of my house between a fence and an alley has lots of lambs quarter, motherwort and wild onion. Is it safe to harvest of I wash it?
Welcome and good on ya! I personally don’t have any experience about this, I’d be a little careful at least. Watch out for the general cleanliness of the alleyway, there might be animals, cats and dogs, running around leaving animal waste and such. If you do go foraging there, do make sure to wash findings well at least! I do recommend the nearest forest though 🌲
Do let us know how it goes, happy foraging!
It’s generally free of animals but I’ll check since I have a dog. Thanks for the suggestion. I might skip it and just gather from the rest of my yard. It’s full of weeds most of which I want now. I had some spring sheep sorrell last year and lots of yellow woodsorrell with my gardens. We’re herbicide and fertilizer free so it should be fine to eat
We live in a polluted world. I don’t think it’s worth stressing about. Doubt a couple of weeds will measurably increase your exposure to environmental toxins. Most important health impacts are from air pollution generally.
