The Great Outdoors
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Foraging
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Foraging
Hello everyone,, I truly believe that foraging…being able to forage with confidence is an essential skill that we should have. I do not but I would like to learn from those that do. DO you forage if so for what where do you go if not on your own land? I am your student please be my teacher
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11 Replies
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No experience to share here myself as I am also new to this, but I have had a few recommendations for the book “Nature’s Garden: A Guide to Identifying, Harvesting, and Preparing Edible Wild Plants” by Sam Thayer, so I hope to get a copy soon and give it a read as a general starting point.
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Hey there all, I know nothing but have been foraging mushrooms with a knowledgeable friend. It turns out that the White Mountains just an hour from the desert oasis I currently call home is world famous for diversity in fungi! I can now identify a few edible mushrooms after this and last years Forays to the forest.
We also have what’s called Mormon Tea, a natural medicinal source of ephedrine. (Sorry no photos of Mormon tea)
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We forage in the nearby National forest and BLM land.😎👍
For those concerned by the regulators, I asked when I bought my firewood permit about foraging. Smoky the bear said, “No worries man.” It’s 👌
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I started on my own property. Found out what salsify is( I picked the flowers before they bloom and saute with butter and garlic). Also harvested clover flowers, dandelion, mint, wild or prickly lettuce and asparagus growing wild on my property when I moved here 4 years ago.
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I started in my yard. Nettle, lamb’s quarter, broadleaf plantain, and dandelion to name a few. In addition to eating fresh, I dehydrate excess and grind it into powder like a seasoning. I label it “Forage Food” and add it to dishes near the end of cooking. Soups, casserole, etc stuff like that where I can blend in several tablespoons.
I wish I had more confidence with mushrooms. I’ve bought books etc but the fear is real on picking rhe wrong one. I would live to harvest because I also make mushroom powder which is a fabulous addition to stews as well.
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Hey I hear ya on the mushrooms. I’ve found it invaluable to find a knowledgeable friend to go with!
Of course they eat the mushrooms first and I wait and see🤣
No really my friend has taught me so much going on forest forays with me that no book or you tube video ever could. I can confidently identify several of our local varieties now! King Bolite and Lobster shrooms were some of the easiest to start with!
We have a saying, when in doubt chunk it out! No need to take any chances. 😎✌❤
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Yeah, I’m not brave enough for mushrooms. I did try milkweed pods this year though, and they were actually very tasty. you just have to boil all the toxins out a couple times. Was very nervous trying them for the first time though.
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It’s good to learn with a healthy amount of respect and caution. 😎👍 But not allow fear to keep us from learning these lost skills.
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Agreed I have tried some of the shelf mushrooms that grow on trees, mostly because I have been told repeatedly that in the mid-atlantic those are safe to eat. But if it is a white toadstool looking thing? Harsh pass without an experienced mentor by my side
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I have found that foraging and plant ID is hard to learn unless you have a knowledgeable friend. What I started doing was planting fruit trees and fruiting bushes with metal labels so I could keep track of them.
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