Spring Foraging

It's a good time to start looking for wild garlic patches, remember to pick the leaves individually so it can survive your harvest and other who may share this wild gift, allowing it continue its growth to produce seed later in the year, if you harvest the bulbs then be considerate of the impact to each patch you harvest from. Also look out for the poisonous plants which grow nearby ( lords and ladies, and dogs mercury)

An unusual one to add to your spring salad is the scarlet elf cap, it's unmistakable and stands out, a small red cup like mushroom found on damp ground or wood in late winter/ early spring, best cooked but some prefer raw.

Cleavers and nettles are just starting to show Their new shoots, perfect for cleansing the lymphatic system.make an infusion hot or cold which will help those who have had a lethargic winter lockdown. This will get you ready to spring into life, go collect whilst bathing in the welcoming longer days which offer us Vitimin D, to boost your mental and physical health.

By Cai Dodds

February Full Moon Foraging

Over the February full moon I have been enjoying early morning walks through the old Forest of Dean woodlands, spotting deer and wild boar as well as buzzards.

I nibbled on wood sorrel and hairy bitter cress as I found it along my way - a refreshing treat to whet my appetite before breakfast. Young nettles and harts tongue fern went into a bone broth soup adding extra vitamins & minerals.

I was very happy to find a big patch of scarlet elf cups in a dank dark woodland by a fast moving stream- these I have dried to use in soups and stews later in the season and I’ll collect more to have fresh, fried with ransoms maybe...?

I have also been enjoying pine needle tea, using the very bright new growth this lovely tea has a zesty taste and smell.

So happy and excited for the new season ahead!

by Liv Goodman