Wild Edibles: 5 Tips for Beginner Foragers

New to foraging? Here are a few beginner tips to get you started on your hunt for wild edibles!
And next time you are taking a walk around the neighborhood, keep your eyes peeled for these thirteen plants: dandelion, mallow, purslane, plantain, thistle, amaranth, dock, mustard, grass, chickweed, clover, lambsquarter, and knotweed.
The following is an excerpt from The Wild Wisdom of Weeds by Katrina Blair. It has been adapted for the web,
5 Tips for Beginner Foragers
-
Ask for help. Seek the guidance of a local plant expert who can help you identify the subtle differences between various plant species.
-
Stay close to home. The wild plants that grow closest to where you live are the ones best adapted to support your ability to thrive in your current environment. Wild plants are extremely resilient and they help us embody those same qualities of excellence.
-
Be mindful. of where you harvest wild weeds. Use your observation skills to determine if an area may have been sprayed with herbicides or heavily fertilized with chemicals. If a plant is discolored or curls downward in an unnatural way it may best to harvest elsewhere.
-
Start off simple. Look for the common simple plants first that are easy to recognize like dandelions. Dice them up finely and add to your dinner salad along with something sweet like apple slices.
-
A little goes a long way. Wild plants are very potent so it is best to start by ingesting small amounts. Begin by nibbling a taste of a common wild edible plant and slowly introduce it to your body and taste buds.
Recommended Reads
Recent Articles
If you’re a fan of cider, you know that the type of apple used can make or break the flavor. And with all the different brands of cider out there, many kinds of apples from across the world are being utilized to create it. In his new book Cider Planet, author and renowned cider maker…
Read MoreThese small fruits are a delicious source of nutrients that you can find almost anywhere. Get started on acorn harvesting with help from these simple tips!
Read MoreWondering what to do with pumpkin seeds? Instead of roasting them, try these alternative ways to prepare & use seeds! Plus a must-try pumpkin granola recipe.
Read MoreHave you ever wondered why fig trees are considered a symbol of abundance and fertility across cultures? What exactly makes these trees so special?
Read MoreSeeds strengthen our connections to what we grow and eat; they are intrinsic to our identity and our future. I cherish seed as a common resource that all the world should be able to access freely.
Read More