Foraging for your food instead of purchasing it at the grocery store can be a frugal and healthy way to feed your family. It can help you save money, get exercise and bond with your loved ones as you forage together.
Things you find the forest can enhance your usual grocery store purchases, such as adding mushrooms to your pasta sauce or adding a side of asparagus to a chicken dinner.
If you think you cannot forage because you do not live in the country, do not be discouraged. There is a growing urban foraging movement and you would be surprised at how many opportunities there are. From overgrown fruit trees to discarded herb plants, there are many ways to add fresh fruits, vegetables and spices to your diet.
Beginner Foraging
If you are just starting to entertain the idea of foraging, it can be overwhelming and a little scary. You likely worry about picking the wrong kind of mushroom and getting sick. For beginners, there are ways to ease into foraging without needing to worry about poisoning yourself.
One of the easiest foraging opportunities is dandelions. They are plentiful throughout the spring and summer and the leaves are delicious in salads.
Apple trees and citrus trees are surprisingly common and the fruit often goes unpicked and spoils. Look for trees and orchards in your area, particularly those in public parks or pedestrian areas. They are ripe for picking and you can fill up baskets with the fruit, at no cost to you. It’s a frugal and fun way to get some fresh produce.
Below is a month-by-month guide of foods to look for during the year.
March
Stinging nettle. Leslie Seaton/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
AsparagusCattail shootsChickweedDandelionsMilkweed shootsShaggy Mane MushroomsSheep SorrelStinging NettlesWild Violets
April
sprouting asparagus. liz west/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
AsparagusBurdockCattail shootsChickweedDandelionsLamb’s QuartersMilkweed shootsMorelsPlantainShaggy Mane MushroomsSheep SorrelStinging NettlesWild Violets
May
fiddleheads. Forest Farming/Flickr/CC BY-ND 2.0
AsparagusBoysenberriesBurdockCherriesChickweedDandelionsFiddleheads (Ostrich Ferns)GooseberriesLamb’s QuartersMintMorelsPlantainSheep Sorrel
June
kahvikisu/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
Cattail spikes (late June)CherriesChickweedDandelionsFigsGooseberriesLamb’s QuartersMilkweed flower budsMintPlantainPurslaneRaspberriesSheep Sorrel
July
Gooseberries. 46137/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
BlackberriesBlueberriesBolete MushroomsCherriesChickweedDandelionsElderberriesFigsGooseberriesHedgehog MushroomsLamb’s QuartersMilkweed FruitsMintPlantainPurslaneRaspberriesSheep Sorrel
August
Blackberries. Melissa Johnson/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
ApplesBlackberriesBlueberriesBolete MushroomsBuffalo BerriesCherriesChickweedChokeberriesCrab ApplesDandelionsElderberriesEnglish WalnutsFigsGooseberriesHedgehog MushroomsHuckleberriesLions Mane MushroomsMintPlantainPine NutsPurslaneRaspberriesSheep SorrelWild Grapes
September
Black walnuts. Deb Nystrom/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
ApplesBlackberriesBlack WalnutsBolete MushroomsBuffalo BerriesChanterelle MushroomsChestnutsChickweedChokeberriesDandelionsElderberriesEnglish WalnutsFigsGingko nutsHedgehog MushroomsHen of the Woods MushroomsLions Mane MushroomsMintPine NutsPlantainPrickly PearsRose hips (after the first frost)Shaggy Mane MushroomsSheep SorrelWild Grapes
October
Ginkgo fruit. Sally Wilson/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0
Acorns (must be leached)ApplesBlack WalnutsBolete MushroomsChanterelle MushroomsChickweedChestnutsCrab ApplesDandelionsEnglish WalnutsGingko nutsHedgehog MushroomsHen of the Woods MushroomsLions Mane MushroomsMintPersimmonsPlantainPrickly PearsRose hips (after first frost)Shaggy Mane MushroomsSheep SorrelWild Grapes
November
Crab Apples. Shauna/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
ChestnutsCrab ApplesGingko nutsHen of the Woods mushroomsPecansPersimmonsSheep Sorrel
December
Chestnuts. EgnaroorangE/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
Chestnuts
Note: This is a general harvest guide for North America. Harvest times may vary slightly in your area
Foraging for your food instead of purchasing it at the grocery store can be a frugal and healthy way to feed your family. It can help you save money, get exercise and bond with your loved ones as you forage together.
Things you find the forest can enhance your usual grocery store purchases, such as adding mushrooms to your pasta sauce or adding a side of asparagus to a chicken dinner.
If you think you cannot forage because you do not live in the country, do not be discouraged. There is a growing urban foraging movement and you would be surprised at how many opportunities there are. From overgrown fruit trees to discarded herb plants, there are many ways to add fresh fruits, vegetables and spices to your diet.
Beginner Foraging
If you are just starting to entertain the idea of foraging, it can be overwhelming and a little scary. You likely worry about picking the wrong kind of mushroom and getting sick. For beginners, there are ways to ease into foraging without needing to worry about poisoning yourself.
One of the easiest foraging opportunities is dandelions. They are plentiful throughout the spring and summer and the leaves are delicious in salads.
Apple trees and citrus trees are surprisingly common and the fruit often goes unpicked and spoils. Look for trees and orchards in your area, particularly those in public parks or pedestrian areas. They are ripe for picking and you can fill up baskets with the fruit, at no cost to you. It’s a frugal and fun way to get some fresh produce.
Below is a month-by-month guide of foods to look for during the year.
March
Stinging nettle. Leslie Seaton/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
AsparagusCattail shootsChickweedDandelionsMilkweed shootsShaggy Mane MushroomsSheep SorrelStinging NettlesWild Violets
April
sprouting asparagus. liz west/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
AsparagusBurdockCattail shootsChickweedDandelionsLamb’s QuartersMilkweed shootsMorelsPlantainShaggy Mane MushroomsSheep SorrelStinging NettlesWild Violets
May
fiddleheads. Forest Farming/Flickr/CC BY-ND 2.0
AsparagusBoysenberriesBurdockCherriesChickweedDandelionsFiddleheads (Ostrich Ferns)GooseberriesLamb’s QuartersMintMorelsPlantainSheep Sorrel
June
kahvikisu/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
Cattail spikes (late June)CherriesChickweedDandelionsFigsGooseberriesLamb’s QuartersMilkweed flower budsMintPlantainPurslaneRaspberriesSheep Sorrel
July
Gooseberries. 46137/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
BlackberriesBlueberriesBolete MushroomsCherriesChickweedDandelionsElderberriesFigsGooseberriesHedgehog MushroomsLamb’s QuartersMilkweed FruitsMintPlantainPurslaneRaspberriesSheep Sorrel
August
Blackberries. Melissa Johnson/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
ApplesBlackberriesBlueberriesBolete MushroomsBuffalo BerriesCherriesChickweedChokeberriesCrab ApplesDandelionsElderberriesEnglish WalnutsFigsGooseberriesHedgehog MushroomsHuckleberriesLions Mane MushroomsMintPlantainPine NutsPurslaneRaspberriesSheep SorrelWild Grapes
September
Black walnuts. Deb Nystrom/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
ApplesBlackberriesBlack WalnutsBolete MushroomsBuffalo BerriesChanterelle MushroomsChestnutsChickweedChokeberriesDandelionsElderberriesEnglish WalnutsFigsGingko nutsHedgehog MushroomsHen of the Woods MushroomsLions Mane MushroomsMintPine NutsPlantainPrickly PearsRose hips (after the first frost)Shaggy Mane MushroomsSheep SorrelWild Grapes
October
Ginkgo fruit. Sally Wilson/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0
Acorns (must be leached)ApplesBlack WalnutsBolete MushroomsChanterelle MushroomsChickweedChestnutsCrab ApplesDandelionsEnglish WalnutsGingko nutsHedgehog MushroomsHen of the Woods MushroomsLions Mane MushroomsMintPersimmonsPlantainPrickly PearsRose hips (after first frost)Shaggy Mane MushroomsSheep SorrelWild Grapes
November
Crab Apples. Shauna/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
ChestnutsCrab ApplesGingko nutsHen of the Woods mushroomsPecansPersimmonsSheep Sorrel
December
Chestnuts. EgnaroorangE/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
Chestnuts
Note: This is a general harvest guide for North America. Harvest times may vary slightly in your area
Foraging for your food instead of purchasing it at the grocery store can be a frugal and healthy way to feed your family. It can help you save money, get exercise and bond with your loved ones as you forage together.
Things you find the forest can enhance your usual grocery store purchases, such as adding mushrooms to your pasta sauce or adding a side of asparagus to a chicken dinner.
If you think you cannot forage because you do not live in the country, do not be discouraged. There is a growing urban foraging movement and you would be surprised at how many opportunities there are. From overgrown fruit trees to discarded herb plants, there are many ways to add fresh fruits, vegetables and spices to your diet.
Beginner Foraging
If you are just starting to entertain the idea of foraging, it can be overwhelming and a little scary. You likely worry about picking the wrong kind of mushroom and getting sick. For beginners, there are ways to ease into foraging without needing to worry about poisoning yourself.
One of the easiest foraging opportunities is dandelions. They are plentiful throughout the spring and summer and the leaves are delicious in salads.
Apple trees and citrus trees are surprisingly common and the fruit often goes unpicked and spoils. Look for trees and orchards in your area, particularly those in public parks or pedestrian areas. They are ripe for picking and you can fill up baskets with the fruit, at no cost to you. It’s a frugal and fun way to get some fresh produce.
Below is a month-by-month guide of foods to look for during the year.
March
Stinging nettle. Leslie Seaton/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
AsparagusCattail shootsChickweedDandelionsMilkweed shootsShaggy Mane MushroomsSheep SorrelStinging NettlesWild Violets
April
sprouting asparagus. liz west/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
AsparagusBurdockCattail shootsChickweedDandelionsLamb’s QuartersMilkweed shootsMorelsPlantainShaggy Mane MushroomsSheep SorrelStinging NettlesWild Violets
May
fiddleheads. Forest Farming/Flickr/CC BY-ND 2.0
AsparagusBoysenberriesBurdockCherriesChickweedDandelionsFiddleheads (Ostrich Ferns)GooseberriesLamb’s QuartersMintMorelsPlantainSheep Sorrel
June
kahvikisu/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
Cattail spikes (late June)CherriesChickweedDandelionsFigsGooseberriesLamb’s QuartersMilkweed flower budsMintPlantainPurslaneRaspberriesSheep Sorrel
July
Gooseberries. 46137/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
BlackberriesBlueberriesBolete MushroomsCherriesChickweedDandelionsElderberriesFigsGooseberriesHedgehog MushroomsLamb’s QuartersMilkweed FruitsMintPlantainPurslaneRaspberriesSheep Sorrel
August
Blackberries. Melissa Johnson/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
ApplesBlackberriesBlueberriesBolete MushroomsBuffalo BerriesCherriesChickweedChokeberriesCrab ApplesDandelionsElderberriesEnglish WalnutsFigsGooseberriesHedgehog MushroomsHuckleberriesLions Mane MushroomsMintPlantainPine NutsPurslaneRaspberriesSheep SorrelWild Grapes
September
Black walnuts. Deb Nystrom/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
ApplesBlackberriesBlack WalnutsBolete MushroomsBuffalo BerriesChanterelle MushroomsChestnutsChickweedChokeberriesDandelionsElderberriesEnglish WalnutsFigsGingko nutsHedgehog MushroomsHen of the Woods MushroomsLions Mane MushroomsMintPine NutsPlantainPrickly PearsRose hips (after the first frost)Shaggy Mane MushroomsSheep SorrelWild Grapes
October
Ginkgo fruit. Sally Wilson/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0
Acorns (must be leached)ApplesBlack WalnutsBolete MushroomsChanterelle MushroomsChickweedChestnutsCrab ApplesDandelionsEnglish WalnutsGingko nutsHedgehog MushroomsHen of the Woods MushroomsLions Mane MushroomsMintPersimmonsPlantainPrickly PearsRose hips (after first frost)Shaggy Mane MushroomsSheep SorrelWild Grapes
November
Crab Apples. Shauna/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
ChestnutsCrab ApplesGingko nutsHen of the Woods mushroomsPecansPersimmonsSheep Sorrel
December
Chestnuts. EgnaroorangE/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
Chestnuts
Note: This is a general harvest guide for North America. Harvest times may vary slightly in your area
Foraging for your food instead of purchasing it at the grocery store can be a frugal and healthy way to feed your family. It can help you save money, get exercise and bond with your loved ones as you forage together.
Things you find the forest can enhance your usual grocery store purchases, such as adding mushrooms to your pasta sauce or adding a side of asparagus to a chicken dinner.
If you think you cannot forage because you do not live in the country, do not be discouraged. There is a growing urban foraging movement and you would be surprised at how many opportunities there are. From overgrown fruit trees to discarded herb plants, there are many ways to add fresh fruits, vegetables and spices to your diet.
Beginner Foraging
If you are just starting to entertain the idea of foraging, it can be overwhelming and a little scary. You likely worry about picking the wrong kind of mushroom and getting sick. For beginners, there are ways to ease into foraging without needing to worry about poisoning yourself.
One of the easiest foraging opportunities is dandelions. They are plentiful throughout the spring and summer and the leaves are delicious in salads.
Apple trees and citrus trees are surprisingly common and the fruit often goes unpicked and spoils. Look for trees and orchards in your area, particularly those in public parks or pedestrian areas. They are ripe for picking and you can fill up baskets with the fruit, at no cost to you. It’s a frugal and fun way to get some fresh produce.
Below is a month-by-month guide of foods to look for during the year.
March
Stinging nettle. Leslie Seaton/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
AsparagusCattail shootsChickweedDandelionsMilkweed shootsShaggy Mane MushroomsSheep SorrelStinging NettlesWild Violets
April
sprouting asparagus. liz west/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
AsparagusBurdockCattail shootsChickweedDandelionsLamb’s QuartersMilkweed shootsMorelsPlantainShaggy Mane MushroomsSheep SorrelStinging NettlesWild Violets
May
fiddleheads. Forest Farming/Flickr/CC BY-ND 2.0
AsparagusBoysenberriesBurdockCherriesChickweedDandelionsFiddleheads (Ostrich Ferns)GooseberriesLamb’s QuartersMintMorelsPlantainSheep Sorrel
June
kahvikisu/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
Cattail spikes (late June)CherriesChickweedDandelionsFigsGooseberriesLamb’s QuartersMilkweed flower budsMintPlantainPurslaneRaspberriesSheep Sorrel
July
Gooseberries. 46137/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
BlackberriesBlueberriesBolete MushroomsCherriesChickweedDandelionsElderberriesFigsGooseberriesHedgehog MushroomsLamb’s QuartersMilkweed FruitsMintPlantainPurslaneRaspberriesSheep Sorrel
August
Blackberries. Melissa Johnson/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
ApplesBlackberriesBlueberriesBolete MushroomsBuffalo BerriesCherriesChickweedChokeberriesCrab ApplesDandelionsElderberriesEnglish WalnutsFigsGooseberriesHedgehog MushroomsHuckleberriesLions Mane MushroomsMintPlantainPine NutsPurslaneRaspberriesSheep SorrelWild Grapes
September
Black walnuts. Deb Nystrom/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
ApplesBlackberriesBlack WalnutsBolete MushroomsBuffalo BerriesChanterelle MushroomsChestnutsChickweedChokeberriesDandelionsElderberriesEnglish WalnutsFigsGingko nutsHedgehog MushroomsHen of the Woods MushroomsLions Mane MushroomsMintPine NutsPlantainPrickly PearsRose hips (after the first frost)Shaggy Mane MushroomsSheep SorrelWild Grapes
October
Ginkgo fruit. Sally Wilson/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0
Acorns (must be leached)ApplesBlack WalnutsBolete MushroomsChanterelle MushroomsChickweedChestnutsCrab ApplesDandelionsEnglish WalnutsGingko nutsHedgehog MushroomsHen of the Woods MushroomsLions Mane MushroomsMintPersimmonsPlantainPrickly PearsRose hips (after first frost)Shaggy Mane MushroomsSheep SorrelWild Grapes
November
Crab Apples. Shauna/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
ChestnutsCrab ApplesGingko nutsHen of the Woods mushroomsPecansPersimmonsSheep Sorrel
December
Chestnuts. EgnaroorangE/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
Chestnuts
Note: This is a general harvest guide for North America. Harvest times may vary slightly in your area
March
AsparagusCattail shootsChickweedDandelionsMilkweed shootsShaggy Mane MushroomsSheep SorrelStinging NettlesWild Violets
April
AsparagusBurdockCattail shootsChickweedDandelionsLamb’s QuartersMilkweed shootsMorelsPlantainShaggy Mane MushroomsSheep SorrelStinging NettlesWild Violets
May
AsparagusBoysenberriesBurdockCherriesChickweedDandelionsFiddleheads (Ostrich Ferns)GooseberriesLamb’s QuartersMintMorelsPlantainSheep Sorrel
June
Cattail spikes (late June)CherriesChickweedDandelionsFigsGooseberriesLamb’s QuartersMilkweed flower budsMintPlantainPurslaneRaspberriesSheep Sorrel
July
BlackberriesBlueberriesBolete MushroomsCherriesChickweedDandelionsElderberriesFigsGooseberriesHedgehog MushroomsLamb’s QuartersMilkweed FruitsMintPlantainPurslaneRaspberriesSheep Sorrel
August
ApplesBlackberriesBlueberriesBolete MushroomsBuffalo BerriesCherriesChickweedChokeberriesCrab ApplesDandelionsElderberriesEnglish WalnutsFigsGooseberriesHedgehog MushroomsHuckleberriesLions Mane MushroomsMintPlantainPine NutsPurslaneRaspberriesSheep SorrelWild Grapes
September
ApplesBlackberriesBlack WalnutsBolete MushroomsBuffalo BerriesChanterelle MushroomsChestnutsChickweedChokeberriesDandelionsElderberriesEnglish WalnutsFigsGingko nutsHedgehog MushroomsHen of the Woods MushroomsLions Mane MushroomsMintPine NutsPlantainPrickly PearsRose hips (after the first frost)Shaggy Mane MushroomsSheep SorrelWild Grapes
October
Acorns (must be leached)ApplesBlack WalnutsBolete MushroomsChanterelle MushroomsChickweedChestnutsCrab ApplesDandelionsEnglish WalnutsGingko nutsHedgehog MushroomsHen of the Woods MushroomsLions Mane MushroomsMintPersimmonsPlantainPrickly PearsRose hips (after first frost)Shaggy Mane MushroomsSheep SorrelWild Grapes
November
ChestnutsCrab ApplesGingko nutsHen of the Woods mushroomsPecansPersimmonsSheep Sorrel
December
Chestnuts
Note: This is a general harvest guide for North America. Harvest times may vary slightly in your area
