How to Forage for Wild Edibles

Dandelions, wild roses and mulberries all have something in common. They are all edible in their wild states. Forage for wild edibles with confidence using these tips.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Field guide with color pictures
• Expert in wild foraging
• Cooler
• Freezer bags

1. Buy a comprehensive field guide to find wild edibles such as a Peterson field guide for wild edibles. Make sure the guide has detailed color photographs (not drawings) to help identify the edibles correctly.

2. Take along an expert in wild edible foraging. Check your local parks for a naturalist who specializes in foraging for wild edibles. Call a local greenhouse in your area to see if they have a naturalist on hand that gives tours for wild edibles.

3. Look for wild edibles in your own back yard. Start in places that haven't been treated with herbicide spray or any other chemicals. If you have permission, you can check out places other than your own backyard.

4. Find a wild edible group nearby. Contact any local gardening groups to see if they have wild edible foraging experts to give lessons on foraging.

5. Grow your own wild edibles. While they aren't as wild as their cousins, they can help you identify which ones in the wild are edible. All roses are edible and you can eat the petals in a salad; they have a flavor similar to grass. Dandelions, wild black walnuts, clovers and sorrel are also edible.

6. Store wild edibles in labeled freezer bags until you get home. Most wild edibles will survive the trip home if you keep them in a small cooler.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't try wild mushroom hunting unless you have someone who is an expert. Some mushrooms are extremely toxic and could cause death if ingested.

• Don't use wild edibles potentially sprayed with chemicals and herbicides.

• Don't forage on someone else's property including city, state and national parks without permission. It could be illegal.

Resources

• The Forager Press has a great selection of field guides for wild edible foraging.
• Steve Brill is a famous naturalist, famous for wild edible foraging tours throughout the Northeast United States.