How I started foraging as a complete beginner 🌿✨

I’ve always loved the idea of foraging and being able to feed myself with wild foods I find in nature, but getting started felt a bit overwhelming — especially back when I lived in cities! When we moved into our van last winter I made it a habit to identify wild plants on my daily walks. I started learning more about the edible plants that grow around me, and how to use them. It’s been a great way to become more self-sufficient and a little bit less dependent on grocery shopping. One day I would love to grow my own fruit and vegetables but for now, foraging helps me reconnect to nature and a more sustainable way of eating 💚

Here are some tips that helped me get started:

📲 Use the iPhone plant ID feature! It’s not always 100% accurate but in my experience it’s pretty reliable. I always double-check with other resources to make sure I’m not foraging a poisonous lookalike.

🫐 Start simple! As a beginner I focused on easily recognisable plants such as wild strawberries, clover, heather or bilberries. I’m not brave enough to forage for mushrooms yet but I’m hoping to in the future!

💻 Look up detailed foraging guides! There are lots of great blogs with in-depth information about edible plants, lookalikes, and how to use each part of the plant.

🥗 Integrate foraged foods into meals you eat regularly. Does it taste spicy? Add it to a stir fry. Does it have a honey like taste? Use it in your favourite cake.

📚 Buy some seasonal foraging books! I love “The Foragers Calendar” and use it to plan ahead and learn about what’s in season, so I can recognise plants when I come across them.

Do you forage for wild foods? If yes, what helped you get started? 🌱

#Foraging #WildFood #NaturalLiving #SustainableLiving #ConnectWithNature #SelfSufficiency #SeasonalLiving #ForagedFood