Call me crazy , but one of my preferred time of the year to forage is wintertime . Yes , you could find things raise in the winter , and I love the uncloudedness that the fall leaf and winter chill brings to the forest . wintertime is a particularly respectable time to look for out medicinal Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and evergreen plant , but there are other plant you could search for , too . The heavy benefit ? There ’s no messing around with ticks or spiderwebs or sweat — it ’s just you and simple exploration of the great open air .
As with all foraging endeavors , do not consume any plant if you are unsure of their individuality . Go with an experient forager on your first excursions , and always have a trust plant I.D. guide with you . When you scrounge , also be a good shop steward of the land — verify you have permission to scrounge on that land , trample thinly , never take more than you’re able to use and do n’t eat up the source .
With these things in brain before you forage , roll up up and head out for the hunt . Here is a handful of my favorite winter herb you may look for when foraging .
1. Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)
Wintergreen , also known as teaberry , is one of my favorite forest political party antic . When hike with friends , I ’ll pick a leaf off of this low - turn vine and call for them to chew on it . Skeptical at first , they are always cheerily surprised by it ’s bracing , minty feel .
2. Watercress (Nasturtium officinale)
This spicy congeneric to our garden - get Brassica stay green well beyond other plants in the wintertime landscape painting .
3. Rose Hips (Rosaspp.)
Rose rose hip , the yield of a rose plant , supply a bit of looker and colouring material to the wintertime landscape .
4. Birch (Betulaspp.)
I think back as a child get out the barque off the birch tree trees in my grandmother ’s yard . If only I had known then that it could have been brew into a tasty drink .
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