Learning how wild edibles look in all four seasons is important. After an ice storm there's another reason to go out and check out what "dead" wild plants are out there - to admire their beauty.
The Universal Edibility Test is important to follow before consuming foraged foods. Many wild plants, berries, shrubs, flowers, and trees taste great - but they can also cause serious health problems if not tested first. Always test a new foraged food before eating.
There are many autumn foraging opportunities out there to be had. Don't pack away your tools for the season – not quite yet! Get out your shovel, trowel and knife because the fall time is a great time for root collecting and perhaps some fungi if you're lucky.
Kudzu is an invasive plant that literally can engulf any standing object in its way and it is hard to eradicate. If you can't beat it - then be sure to eat it!
Botany in a Day is a must-have book for anyone interested in plants and foraging. No matter your foraging skill level, this well-written book is a valuable tool to have in your library.
Kevin Duffy is a well-seasoned wild food educator in southern Indiana. The second edition of his Harvesting Nature's Bounty is now available. This 296-page book is a great resource for the beginner or intermediate forager.
May is morel month and many a forager is out there in hopes of finding this popular fungi. Discovering morels can be a hit or miss situation but either way the search for them makes for a great outing.
When designing a new garden or giving your existing garden a new look then considering an edible landscape makes sense. Not only can you create a visual oasis by having an edible landscape, but you will have free, nutritious food to benefit from as well!