We’re back for Part Two of our seasonal series about the delights of foraging for wild fruit, berries, nuts, and edible flowers.
We looked at the offerings that Spring brings last time. June means it is now the turn of Summer.
So, what do I look for between June and September? I’ll tell you…
Pineapple Weed
When: June – October
Where: Disused land, fields, gravel patches, driveways, footpaths
ID: Small plant with feathery leaves and yellow petal-less flowers
Just make sure you’re harvesting away from where dogs are walked, eh?
What to pick: The lovely little yellow flower heads
What to make:
- Liqueur
- Tea (either dried or fresh)
- Use in salads
- Pickled flower heads
Wild/Feral Cherry
When: June – early August
Where: Hedgerows, old farmland and orchards, woodland and field edges
ID: Small dark cherries on big gnarled trees.
The fruit is smaller and can be more tart than cultivated cherries, but they can also be amazingly sweet if you’re lucky.
What to pick: Glossy, shiny dark cherries that have a little bit of give when lightly squeezed
What to make:
- Jam or jelly
- Steep in alcohol to make cherry brandy or liqueur
- Bake in clafoutis or pies
- Eat fresh if sweet enough
Notes: Birds get the majority so don’t mess about- pick as soon as you see them.
Blackberries
When: August – September (increasingly ready in July, occasionally still available into October)
Where: Everywhere. Hedgerows, woodland edges, gardens- you name it.
ID: If you live in southern England and can’t identify blackberries, I can’t even…
Blackberries are the gateway forage. They are abundant, easy to identify, and delicious.
What to pick: Plump black berries, avoiding the red/pink unripe ones. They collapse under pressure when overripe so try to avoid those too- they won’t keep.
What to make:
- Eat fresh (wash them first, eh?)
- Blackberry jam or jelly
- Crumbles and pies
- Freeze for later use
- Hedgerow jam/jelly (mixed with other berries)
Notes: Pick on a dry day. Standard ‘think about it, mate’ approach is called for- avoid berries right next to busy roads due to exhaust fumes and general road grime. Late season berries can be watery so get stuck in when you first see ripe ones. If you pick a lot, the ones on the bottom will likely get squished under the weight of the rest- I prefer to collect blackberries in a shallow trug (it’s a wanky term for a basket- I’m flexing my knowledge) to help keep everything intact.
It’s the perfect activity to do with kids- it’s easy, safe, and they enjoy it. Take a drink and a snack with you.
Wild Plums
When: August – September
Where: Hedgerows, old orchards, woodland edges, growing over fences from gardens (shhhh)
ID: Plums, often green, green-y yellow, yellow, red, or a rich purple, on trees that range in size from small, almost bush-like, to big sprawling canopies.
Within walking distance of my house, I’ve found at least three types of wild or feral plum. At the reservoir a short drive away there’s another couple of varieties as well. No idea what they are, but they taste good.
What to pick: This one is about judgement calls- if it looks ripe, pick it and try it. You could be right, you could be wrong. Only one way to find out.
What to make:
- Eat fresh (remember to wash them first)
- Jam or chutney
- Crumbles and pies
- Freeze for later
- Ferment into plum wine
Notes: Taste before picking in quantity- some are sweet, others can be tart. Both are useful, just for different things.
Elderberries
When: September – October
Where: Same trees that had elderflowers in spring
ID: Dark purple/black berries in drooping clusters
Elderberries must be cooked- when raw they can lead to an upset stomach, but tasting one or two won’t kill you. Once cooked, they are much better.
What to pick: Ripe dark berries in full clusters
What to make:
- Elderberry syrup
- Elderberry jam or jelly
- Elderberry wine
- Add to hedgerow jelly
Notes: You can same a whole bunch of time and energy if you strip the berries from the stems with a fork.
And that’s summer. A slightly longer list that actually features fruit. The perfect excuse for a countryside stroll. I’ll see you in the sticks…
What are we watching? Not understanding the fuss about Attack on Titan. I don’t think Anime in general is for me.
What are we listening to? Everything Blue Sky Black Death made
