There’s something magical about being in the woods, surrounded by nature and harvesting your own food or medicine. For me, foraging brings immense peace in a world that is largely artificial and industrial. It is a reminder that nourishment doesn’t need to come from a supermarket, as nature has all that we need.

As incredible as this is, there are important foundations of foraging behaviour you should always practice while foraging for food in the wild. In this blog post, you will discover everything you need to know about foraging as a beginner, including where to forage, what to bring, and how to learn about local foraging in your area.

Table of Contents

What is Foraging?
Where can you forage?
Important tips for beginners
Foraging Tools
Foraging Safety
Conclusion

*Note: It is important to start with saying that I recognize my positionality as a White woman of settler heritage. It is dually important to recognize that I have the privilege of food foraging because of the Indigenous communities that have lived on and cared for the lands we now call Canada since time immemorial.

It is deeply important to me that my foraging behaviour respects the harmonious and reciprocal relationship between plants, animals, humans, and nature. Of equal importance, I want to recognize the colonial legacy that has disrupted Black and Indigenous foodways, tradition, and culture, and that much of the knowledge of urban foraging is derived from ancestral wisdom and practices. Separation from land and ancestral practice was have been (and continue to be) a strategy of genocide. Learn more about this history from Alicia Upton.

basket of wild food sitting in a bed of grass and clovers after foraging

What is foraging?

Foraging is the act of searching for food and/or medicine in nature. Depending on where you live, this may mean finding foods near bodies of water, in the forests, or in urban environments. Though it is much easier in the spring, summer, and fall, you can find wild food all year round. For example, you can go foraging for mushrooms in the winter (see iNaturalist’s guide here).

There are lots of synonyms for foraging, including: “wildcrafting”, “wild harvesting”, and “gathering”.

Where can you go foraging?

There are lots of places you can forage, but you need to be mindful of whose land you are on and respectful of what you are harvesting. Additionally, you need to be positive that the plants are safe (invest in foraging guides if you are new!).

And, if you are in a national or public park, make sure you know if you are allowed to harvest or not.

Here are some some common locations to forage:

Forests: The woods are full of edible plants, including ferns, mushrooms, berries, and spruce tips
Fields: If you know where to look, you can harvest edible grains and grasses like lambs quarters, wild rye, barnyard grass, or cattail
Gardens: I’ll write a separate post on this soon, but some gardeners create forage gardens by cultivating plants that are not only beautiful, but packed with nutritious and medicinal benefits too!

BTW: You should never forage on someone else’s property without asking permission. It’s also good practice to double check which plants are off-limits, too.

Important tips for beginners: Foraging responsibly and respectfully

There are a few things to keep in mind if you’re new to foraging (for respect and safety!).

In Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book, Braiding Sweetgrass, Kimmerer outlines the guidelines for an Honourable Harvest as such:

Ask permission of the ones whose lives you seek. Abide by the answer.
Never take the first. Never take the last.
Harvest in a way that minimizes harm.
Take only what you need and leave some for others.
Use everything that you take.
Take only that which is given to you.
Share it, as the Earth has shared with you.
Be grateful.
Reciprocate the gift.
Sustain the ones who sustain you, and the Earth will last forever.

If you’re new to this, Braiding Sweetgrass is one of the best books on foraging and ecological consciousness.

Outside of these essential practices, here are some other suggestions for absolute beginners:

Know the wild edibles you harvest. Not all wild edibles are safe to consume, so make sure you know what is and what isn’t edible in your region (and how to identify each properly). Plus, you need to know it’s not an endangered plant.
If in doubt, don’t eat it! Some edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Unless you’re certain, leave it be! And, even though a plant is technically edible, that doesn’t mean it’s going to taste good. There are also plants that are safe to harvest, but take a lot of skill to prepare correctly.
Leave no trace. Leave each place better than you found it.

The David Suzuki Foundation also makes two additional points: Beware of pesticide/herbicide sprayed areas and keep an eye out for signs of wildlife (tracks, scat, etc.).

Foraging tools

Depending on where you are looking for food or medicine, you may need some supplies! Here are the basics.

Protective gear: Getting my hands dirty is fun and rewarding, but it’s also important to protect your body from any potential dangers in the environment. Be sure to wear long pants and long sleeves, as well as gloves and closed-toe shoes, especially if you’re heading somewhere with stinging nettle…
Bag or basket: You’ll need a bag or basket to carry all your foraged goods. It’s a good idea to avoid bags made of plastic, and to opt for something like a cloth bag instead.
Foraging book: If you’ve never foraged before, it’s a good idea to have a book that can guide you through the process. There are many different books available, so you’re sure to find one that fits your needs and experience level.

Foraging safety

Foraging is a safe activity as long as you are careful and prepared. Here are a few important safety tips to keep in mind:

Know your plants: Like we’ve already talked about, it’s important to know what plants are safe to harvest. If you’re not sure about a plant, don’t pick it!
Harvest only what you need: Harvesting too much from an area can lead to plant depletion, so only harvest what you need.
Only harvest in areas of low foot traffic: Stay away from areas that see a lot of foot traffic, such as trails and near roads. Stay away from private property as well.
- And don’t harvest where pets do their business…
Wash or cook your produce before consuming: Be sure to wash all your harvested goods with water. Remember, some plants are only safe once cooked.
Stay safe in bad weather: Know your environment and respect the weather. Always be prepared when in the backwoods by having the appropriate gear and tracking changing weather conditions.

Conclusion

Foraging is a great way to eat healthy, nutritious food that is free of chemicals. It’s also a great way to connect with nature, and it’s a fun and educational hobby.

If you’re interested in foraging, there are many different wild edibles you can try harvesting. You can even start growing some of them on your property! When done respectfully and mindfully, it’s a sustainable practice that can be done year round.

I’d like to leave you with this quote, especially if you are a settler foraging on unceded territory: