foraging

Show 39: Monarda, Saint John's Wort and Yarrow
Uses for Dodder?
Has anyone used dodder for food or medicine or any other useful purpose? I just passed by one of my nettle patches a bit ago and noticed the nettles were covered in what looked like yellow twine, Took a closer look, and realized it must be dodder--I've only seen it in photos until now. Have no idea how it suddenly appeared…
Show 38: The Witch Hazel, Nettles, Purslane and Buckwheat Families of Herbs
Forageable plants to add sugar to a survival diet
8 plants that can be used to add sugar to your diet. Some that I have heard of, some that are new.
Plantain Hummus
As if there weren't already a jillion uses for plantain,,,,I never thought of hummus, but this sounds as good as it is healthy. Good thing plantain is plentiful! And I don't see why you couldn't just as well use broadleaf plantain? And on another page these guys recommend you sprout your chickpeas before you make hummus…
Living in a tiny house homestead
Loved watching this video. You get to see her dog grow up. Such a cute puppy. She does a great job explaining how she got there and how she lives now.
Foraging for pineapple weed
I have a lot of Pineapple weed (wild chamomile) but its in bad locations, so I have been moving it. I have also been harvesting it. This link has some great information. https://www.growforagecookferment.com/foraging-pineapple-weed/
A slightly odd hobby - - Dumpster diving
As @Monek Marie and I can tell you, it can be lots of fun. Just like "roadside foraging". All I can say for find #3 is "Seriously!!??" Too lazy to sell it? Newest piece of "roadside treasure" at my house; neighbor across the street put out a little tow behind trailer for a riding lawnmower. Dad promptly snagged it. One…
How Many Uses for Cattails Are There?
Seems like we'd have a thread just for cattails, but I couldn't find one--lots of mentions on other threads, but how about pulling it all together in one place? Here' a good starter--
Found a squirrel's Hazelnut stash; is it edible?
While weeding my asparagus garden I found a stash of hazelnuts and then noticed many more lying around. Are they edible? They were, obviously, frozen for many months (we're in Ontario).
Foraging Tree & Berry Leaves for Tea (ZONES 1-4A)
This is piggybacking off another thread about the show, "Alone". @torey I would like to know what berry & tree leaves are good for tea? I am being a bit selfish here, thinking of zone 1 through 4a, both cultivated & wild. Can you give basic benefits for each and basic prep? I don't remember if I'd heard of using birch…
Show 34: Summer Foraging Show
Clover Blossom Quandary
The clover is coming into bloom here now, but I can't decide which blossoms to gather. I found a large and lush stand of beautiful red clover in bloom, but it is growing right along the side of the road along the front of my property. All the clover that I've found so far growing far enough up from the road that I know…
Elderflower sirup
I have just finished making elderflower sirup. I hope it will last until next elderflower season. I collected 20-30 elderflowers. They should be very fresh and very fragrant. I spread them on a sheet outside, so that all insects can escape, then checked each and every. I never wash elderflower as they loose so much if…
Free Wild Foraging Webinar via the Herbal Academy June 17/21
This webinar is to get you interested in their paid course "Summer Foraging and Botany Package", but it should be a good webinar and its free.
Flower jelly..keep some of that color year round
Ashley has a good post on various flower jellies, including some foraged types.
Foraging and propagating plants
I just came across these two articles--interesting lists, and they have links to other useful articles. I sometimes think you have to take this guy with a grain of salt though--the photo of the plantain bandage in the "Wild Plants" article looks at least a bit odd to me...
Fir spruce tips cake. I made one!
Fir spruce tips cake. I made one! It tastes wonderful of conifer forest on a warm day! I found this recipe and wanted to try it out. This is the original recipe: -1 cup of yogurt (here 0.5l) -1 cup of flour -1 cup of sugar -1.5 cups of chopped young spruce or fir shoots -Some oil -4 eggs -1 packet of baking powder -If you…
Cattail and it's many uses
Wild sage. Do you use it? How?
Wild sage (salvia pratensis) is in full blossom in our Alpine meadows. I collect it every year and use it in my herbal infusions, because of its mild taste, the deep purple colour of the blossoms, because it’s ethereal oils are so good for respiratory tract. Sometimes I add it to my summer wild flower lemonades. So far I…
Sugar Plants
This is mostly about plants for natural chewing gums, but it is an interesting list. The two that have me stumped are Red Grass and Skeleton Weed. According to this they should grow around here, but I can't place either of them.
He's struck again
My father and his need for a photo worthy yard. I came home from work and he was so pleased that he got almost all the way around the yard with the weed whacker. That includes the ditch area. Stinging nettle.....gone. Joe Pye weed....gone. Milkweed.....gone. So much stuff down to 4 inches high. After a long day at work, I…
Rather good article on spring foraging
Turkey Tail Mushrooms
I know we have turkey tail mushrooms in out area and I am sure I have some on the land but until I harvest a mushroom (usually with someone who has hunted mushrooms for years) I do not feel comfortable harvesting them. My nephew has a friend who hunts them all the time so I hope to go out with them soon. I thought both of…
Foraging wild fruit
There are many wild fruits you can harvest. Sometimes you can move the plant or shrub or take a clipping to add to your property. Ask before you move any plant and make sure you know what it is. There are many poisonous plants out in the wild yonder. But as with any foraging you really need to make sure you have identified…
where do you get your recycling finds?
In the spring I take a look outdoors and see what all the winter weather has damaged and what I need to replace. If at all possible I get recycled items to keep costs down. I have two coops roofs damaged and one shed that the roof needs replaced. I decided I need to fence the perimeters of the property, 17 acres. Ouch.…
Ramps
I went out and harvested ramps (leeks) today. I was not sure if I was in season or just before. I actually found them to be just about the right size. Next week they will be just a bit bigger but the season should still be fine for a few more weeks. My family has harvested ramps for years but until last year I had never…
Maple seeds
One of my kids came in today & said, taste this! So, I tasted my first maple seed (Manitoba Maple). It was nutty and...I am not sure what. Certainly different, but not green and not bad. No bitterness. Does anyone have any thought on how to more easily extract the seed? That was one complaint that I heard. @torey Can you…
Gin???!!
This is interesting. "The fee paid to landowners for foraging rights? One British pound and six cases of gin."
Show 21: Spring Foraging

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