by Ruby Taylor | Feb 21, 2024 | Forage of the Month
Bramble Tips Lots of us know bramble as the blackberry bush, the one that gives us those delicious autumnal berries that stain our fingers and tongues. Bramble plants are vigorous and plentiful in their growing habit, and the hardiness of the plant means it has a...
by Ruby Taylor | Oct 9, 2023 | Forage of the Month
Beech Nuts Beech trees are beautiful for so many reasons! Where I grew up, near the Chilterns in South Oxfordshire, we roamed in beech woods during bluebell season, and in the autumn when their fallen leaves glow copper. For other creatures and plants, beech woodland...
by Ruby Taylor | Jun 6, 2023 | Forage of the Month
Elderflower Fritters Pick your elderflowers on a calm, sunny day when the buds are freshly open, before the petals brown around the edges. This is when they’re most flavoursome. Lightly shake them to release any small insects, then snip off the larger stalks....
by Ruby Taylor | Apr 1, 2023 | Forage of the Month
Cleavers & Nettle Spring Tonic I’ve been watching the cleavers and nettles in my garden over the last few weeks, waiting for them to get big enough to start harvesting for this, my all time favourite thing to make as spring arrives. Cleavers and nettles...
by Ruby Taylor | Jan 1, 2023 | Forage of the Month
King Alfred’s Cakes At this time of year there’s not so much around to forage, but these are a favourite for fire-making. I always keep an eye open for them when I’m out in the winter woods. Their Latin name is Daldinia concentrica and if you break...
by Ruby Taylor | Aug 14, 2022 | Forage of the Month
Elderberry Elixir: this is one of my all-time favourite elderberry recipes, and it comes from Lucinda Warner at Whispering Earth. It’s a long-lasting and delicious preparation that Lucinda describes as ‘warming your wintery cockles’… I can...