Family Foraging

David Hamilton has been growing his own food for over 17 years and foraging for wild food for a lot longer. He holds an Honours Degree in Nutrition and Food Science and a Diploma in Sustainable Horticulture. He has been teaching wild food since 2005 and his students have included TV’s Mary Berry, Ben Fogle, National Trust Wardens and members of the British Army. He has written three books: The Self-Sufficientish Bible which achieved national and international critical acclaim; the award-winning Grow Your Food for Free; and Wild Ruins, an Amazon top 10 seller. David writes for a number of publications including Countryfile Magazine, Walk, Discover Britain, the Guardian and Gardener’s World Magazine.

Apple Malus spp Parks and gardens
Beech Fagus sylvatica Hedges, Roadside, Forest
Bilberries and Blueberries (may include Cranberry)Vaccinium spp Moorland and acid soils
Blackberry Rubus spp Parks and gardens, Forest, Edgeland
Cep/Penny Bun/Porcini Boletus edulus Woodland
Cherry Prunus spp Parks and gardens, Roadside, Old orchards, Edgeland
Chickweed Stellaria media Parks and gardens, Edgeland (One of the seven herbs used in Nanakusa-no-sekku, a traditional Japanese dish)
Dandelion Taraxacum officinale Edgeland, Parks and gardens
Elder Sambucus spp Hedgerow, Edgeland, Parks and gardens
Fat Hen, Amaranth (Goosefoot family) Chenopodium spp Edgeland, fields
Giant Puffball Calvatia gigantea Meadow
Hawthorn Crataegus spp Parks and gardens, Hedgerow, Edgeland, Woodland edges
Hazel Corylus spp Parks and gardens, Hedgerow, Edgeland, Woodland edges
Marsh Samphire Salicornia europaea Coastal
Mint Mentha spp Parks and Gardens, Near fresh water
Nettle Urtica dioica Parks and gardens, Edgeland, Forest edges, Fields, Roadsides (Include 10 unusual uses for a nettle)
Pine Pinus pinea (nuts) and other spp (needles) Parks and gardens, Woodland, Coastal (Pine nut, pine needle tea and vinegar)
Plantain Plantago major Parks and gardens, Edgeland, Forest edges, Fields, Roadsides, Coastal
Raspberry Rubus spp Parks and Gardens, Edgeland, Forest edges
Rose Rosa spp Parks and gardens, Edgeland, Forest edges, Coastal
Sea Beet Beta vulgaris var maritima Coastal
Sorrel Rumex acetosa Fields, Parks and gardens
Sugar Maple and Birch Acer saccharum and Betula pendula Parks and gardens, Woodlands (Put these two trees together as the entry will be about tapping trees for sap)
Sumac Rhus typhina Parks and gardens, Woodland Edges
Sweet Chestnut Castanea sativa Parks and Gardens, Woodland
Wild Garlic and leek Allium ursinum and Allium tricoccum Woodland
Wood Sorrel Oxalis acetosellaWoodland (Easy to identify, tasty, child friendly, grows in winter)
Woodland strawberry Fragaria vesca Parks and gardens, Forest edges, Hedgerow
Wild radish Rhaphanus raphanistrum Coastal, Countryside, Edgeland
Wild plum Prunus spp Parks and gardens, Edgeland, Forest edges