Guidelines to Foraging and Wildcrafting

Question 1

Name some genera have species that can be used interchangeably?

Answer 1

Rose (Rosa spp)
Blackberry, Raspberry (various Rubus spp)
Hawthorn (Crataegus spp)
Pine (Pinus spp)
Willow (Salix spp)
Blueberry (various Vaccinium spp)
Goldenrod (Solidago spp)

Question 2

Where should you avoid harvesting?

Answer 2

1. Near roadsides
2. Near foundations of buildings
3. Near floodplains of contaminated waters
4. Near farmed fields
5. Near electrical lines
   All of these locations may have herbicides or pesticides coating the vegetation.

Question 3

Why should you only harvest from abundance and favor non-natives?

Answer 3

Overharvesting can lead to endangerment and extinction. Native plants are tied to the local food chain whereas non-natives force natives to compete for resources.

Question 4

Why is timing important when harvesting/foraging?

Answer 4

Knowing how a plant changes throughout the seasons leads to knowing when to harvest food and medicine for the optimal flavor and medicinal strength.

Question 5

What are some rules of thumb about timing your harvest?

Answer 5

1. Roots from perennials are best foraged for after the plants have gone to seed.
2. Many wild greens become chewy and/or bitter as the seasons progress (Dandelion)
3. Some fruits (Autumn Olive) become sweeter after the first frost.
4. Harvest roots when they’ve gone dormant (late autumn-early spring)