Foraging is an amazing hobby to try. It combines easy hiking with mindful walking through nature’s most delicious enclosures. Who needs a grocery store when the outdoors calls for you to forage its treasures? And no, you do not need to be in the countryside to enjoy the art of foraging.
This is where urban foraging comes in. From wild herbs growing in pavement cracks to fruit-laden trees in public parks, urban foraging is a sustainable and exciting way to connect with nature, even in the most unlikely places. So, here’s a quick guide to urban foraging.
What is Urban Foraging Exactly?
Before we look at what urban foraging entails, let’s get one thing out of the way first. There is a difference between rural foraging and urban foraging. Rural foraging takes place in natural, less-developed areas like mountains, countryside trails, forests and meadows. This is starkly different from urban foraging, where foragers usually travel to parks, abandoned lots, and roadside verges in search of the good stuff.
What is an Urban Forager?
Urban Foraging is for everyone – everyone who’s interested, that is. Whether you’re a seasoned forager or still a humble beginner, once you start urban foraging, you can proudly proclaim your title as a proud and dedicated urban forager.
Caution for Urban Foraging
Foraging comes with risks, no matter where you choose to indulge in this hobby. However, urban foraging has a higher contaminant and pollution risk due to car exhausts, animal waste, litter or industrial contamination. So, just as a warning: forage away from busy roads and as soon as you get home, wash your findings in diluted vinegar (50% water, 50% vinegar). Be sure to thoroughly inspect your produce as well, even after washing it.
There’s also a cautionary legal risk to consider when it comes to navigating public and private land. Some local councils may have specific guidelines about picking plants in parks or green spaces, so just be sure to cover any legal grounds before embarking on this adventure.
What Can I Gather Through Urban Foraging?
You’re not going to believe the range of edible goodies you can find while urban foraging. If you know where and how to look for edible plants, you’d be surprised how quickly your bag fills up. So, what can you look for while urban foraging? Firstly, wild herbs are everywhere. These include dandelion, the leaves of which you can toss into a salad, and the roots are perfect for tea!
Then there’s chickweed too, great in soups and pestos because of its mild flavour. Plantain is also perfect for teas and, surprisingly, wound healing. Nettle is a wild herb that’s so overlooked; it’s rich in nutrients and is perfect for soups. Be sure to wear gloves when picking them, though. Secondly, look for edible flowers such as nasturtiums, elderflowers, violets and daisies. Nuts and seeds can be found as well, these include hazelnuts, walnuts, beech nuts and sunflower seeds.
Then there are mushrooms. This style of foraging is only for the well-trained. Urban fungi (we’ve all seen them) can pop up in damp green spaces, but being able to discern fungi is super important. Unless you’re an expert, skip the foraged mushrooms.
Finally, we have weeds. Did you know that weeds are nutrient powerhouses? The good news is that letting your garden run amok might save you the trip around the block for urban foraging. Look out for Purslane, which is rich in omega-3s, Lamb Quarters, which are mild in flavour and spinach-like in texture, and finally, Shepherd’s purse: slightly peppery and often used medicinally.
If you want to know more about sustainable living, then read about the best eco-friendly home cleaning products for a greener clean.
Going Urban Foraging?
If you’re a regular walker, why not familiarise yourself with the wild herbs, weeds, nuts and seeds, and edible flowers you can pick for dinner strewn around your neighbourhood? It invites you to be more mindful as you stroll through the city streets, to slow down and look closely.
Rediscover the natural world woven into the fabric of your city. The next time you venture out of your front door, keep your eyes open because you never know what delicious discoveries are waiting around the corner.
