The Somerset Foraged Farmacy's beginner’s guide to foraging

Foraging is a rewarding way to connect with nature and gather wild food, but it’s important to start with the right knowledge and tools. We’ve put together our beginner’s guide to get you started!

Essential tools for foraging:

• Foraging basket or bag: A simple basket or cloth bag to collect your finds.

• Pocketknife or secateurs **: Useful for cutting plants or fungi cleanly.

• Field guide: A reliable guidebook is key for safe identification (more on this below).

• Gloves: Helpful for prickly plants or foraging in tough terrain.

Know the basics:

When starting out, focus on easily identifiable plants like blackberries, nettles, and rosehips—all common, found in Autumn and relatively safe to forage. Blackberries are found in hedgerows, with their distinctive dark berries. Nettles, easily recognised by their jagged leaves, can be foraged (with gloves!) and used in soups and teas. Rosehips, the bright red fruit of wild roses, are rich in vitamin C.

Make sure you’re 100% certain of your identification before consuming anything, as some plants can be toxic!

Ethical Foraging:

Foraging is about respecting the environment. Only take what you need, leaving plenty behind for wildlife and other foragers. Be sure not to damage plants and avoid over-harvesting from any one area.

Helpful foraging guides:

• “Food For Free" by Richard Mabey: A classic guide that’s great for beginners. It covers a wide range of edible plants, fruits, and fungi.

• “Bloomsbury Concise Foraging Guide": This guide offers clear illustrations and practical advice for those just starting out.

• “The Forager's Calendar" by John Wright: A month-by-month guide to what’s in season and where to find it, making it easy to forage year-round.

Support your local bookshops by purchasing your foraging guides and other reads from them! Not only will you discover unique recommendations, but you’ll also help keep these community gems thriving.

Stay safe:

Always cross-reference different sources before eating anything wild.

If you’re not sure, leave it—better to be safe than sorry.

Start small by foraging in familiar locations, like your local park or countryside.

With these tips and tools, you’re ready to begin your foraging journey. Start slowly, learn from experts, and soon you'll be enjoying nature’s bounty while staying safe and sustainable!