Foraging - Natures Food

redlady_1

All I can think about when you talk about the code is Priates of the Carribean and Jonny Depp!!!!

Please continue....:D

I have picked lots of blackberries from the brambles at the office. Last year they had elderflowers too but I think they have chopped them bac this year.

Pazu

Sorry I seem to have posted without finishing. There must be a joke there somewhere!

Annie c you've given me the best of laughs today on a very trying day.

Chrissiethe chippy I've been wracking my brains to think where you could go in So'ton. I've got friends at Thornhill and Lords Hill. Have you tried the parks? It might be worth phoning the council to see if they have planted any fruiting trees. If not it might give them an idea. What about the common? It was always a bit of a no go area. I don't supposed its got any better.

Ceridwen Hun come round for a cup of virtual coffee. If I look in the larder I might find some home made scones, hedgerow jelly and clotted cream. Just don't put any butter on it!!! I do think you are being a smidge paranoid. In a lifetime of foraging I have never got any wild cherries.The trees are too tall and the birds are too quick. Hazel nuts are hit and miss. The squirrels get them before they are ready. Blackberries and raspberries get eaten by birds and insects. The crabs and bullace drop and rot before I get to them ...and so the list goes on. I suppose there may be some greedy people around but I tend to think they are inexperienced rather than bad. They see a lovely harvest, probably don't realise others are interested and get a bit carried away. They don't realise they've got to process the stuff and eat it all. However, having said that dd always says I am an "unrealistic optimist" (she's got the letters after her name to be able to comment on her mother's current mental state. Lol.)

jennyo

Has anyone eaten acorns ? I read if you boil them for a couple of minutes it takes away the bitterness.
i am on the look out for seet chestut, walnut and hazel nut trees, so far no luck. Have spotted some plum trees near me hopefully I'm going to get some tomorrow, and investigate for anything else edible in that area.

Churchmouse

Haribo, annie-c and rachbc that's exactly what I want to achieve Thanks to you all for your encouragement :T
The only foraging I did as a child was to pick blackberries with mum, and in later years I branched out as far as a couple of dozen chestnuts from Sutton Hoo :rotfl:By the time I sorted the rubbish ones I still had to buy a vacuum pack to make the stuffing I'm not expecting miracles but just think it will be nice if more people can find things to eat, some that you don't tend to see in the supermarket. I for one can't remember seeing damsons or sloes for example.

First this area I've mentioned, then a few local woods and parks. The world will be my oyster........... or hopefully a crab apple

rachbc

Now if I found oysters to forage I might keep that secret lol

Mrs_Domino

chrissiethechippy wrote: »

I would love to find a walnut tree locally, but I have never seen one! Does anyone know of any in Southampton? Ir maybe of a web site that can help you locate good places to forage?

I have lots of plum trees in the garden waiting to be picked and turned into jam.

We also have a lot of blackberries and apple trees locally. Just the one pear tree, but the pears are too high sadly!

Tempted to have a go at making cider, but I don't really drink, they would be for gifts or for cooking with.... maybe I would like it more if it was homemade!

I'm not 100% sure what other berries are edible and to look out for to be honest!

I did read about a chestnut jam that you can make, chestnuts are something we have lots of locally. I wish I knew how to store them whole without boiling them!

Try this:

http://etnet.org.uk/wordpress/groups_category/local-food/wild-food-foraging-map

Beware though the ones down Stoneham Lane are on a very busy road. I personally wouldn't touch them. Also try Lakeside if you are Eastleigh way or Southampton Common. I personally have't been to either of these yet but I am trying the common next. There has got to be some bounty there!

If you find a walnut tree that isn't in the middle of a major roundabout on main road please let me know!

Where exactly are you?

D&DD

We have a walnut tree on the common its a bit of a wotsit to get to but just about do-able.Haven't managed to get any ripe ones yet tho,it's loaded this year so here's hoping!
We have tons of hazelnuts too wonder if its just a good year for them?

Still haven't got any pears *sigh* sadly there were no small children available yesterday Churchmouse, just the rather portly gentlemen I meet up to walk the doglet with..and ones got a dodgy knee,the other a dodgy ticker so I think it'll probably be me that ends up shinnying up there :eek:

tiff

Found the location of damsons and wild cherries, both in the grounds of an old ruined church. Have been offered pears when they are ready and apples as well. Very happy with that, just need the sugar to get going. I found a foraging map for my city after seeing a link above, worth googling for your town/city for the same. It only covers the city centre but its surprising what is there. It even lists the numbers of trees, 3 x almond for example. Fantastic. Have been foraging for years but sometimes miss the picking window.

tiff

Forgot to add, next door neighbour has an abundant pear tree but they dont offer to us as we dont get on. Noticed a box on their wall last year offering the pears for free so sent my 10 year old out at night to get some. So embarrassing lol.

Gigervamp

for those in the London area, Wimbledon Common is good for nut trees. I remember going there as a child to gather nuts, although I don't remember which type. Also, my mum mentioned that Richmond Park has loads of sweet chestnut trees.

In Mitcham, we used to go to the common for blackberries and The Cannons park (by the cricket green) for crabapples, though I don't know if they're still there.

In Cardiff there are a few sweet chestnut trees by the Megabus stop near the Hilton. Discovered those by accident whilst waiting for my daughter to get in on the coach last year.