Wild picking: discover what really grows around you

Do you ever find yourself hiking and that you suddenly keep looking at such a small plant at the edge of the path? That you think:

“What is this anyway? Can I eat this? What would it taste like? What will it do to my body?”

Many people walk past dozens of edible plants every day without realizing it. Nettle, dandelion, birdsfoot, plantain, wild garlic ... it just grows right next to your shoes. And the great thing is: these plants are packed with nutrients, healing power and ancient natural wisdom.

But then comes the real question: how do you know what you can pick safely? And just as importantly, how do you make sure nature doesn't suffer?

Wild picking is wonderful, but not something to just ‘just try’. That is why I am sharing below a small selection of the basic rules that every wild picker should know.

Rule number 1 - Know what you are picking

Pick only what you 100% definitely recognize. No ‘I think this is it. No guessing. Certainty is the basis of safe wild picking.
If you don't fully recognize a plant - leaf, flower, smell, growing site - then leave it. Once you master this rule, a world of edible nature will open up to you.

Some other important game picking rules

• Never pick the last or only specimen - the plant must be allowed to recover and reproduce.
• Never take more than about 25% of what is there - wild picking is what you do with nature.
• Avoid contaminated areas - roads, fields with possible pesticides, unnatural vegetation.
• Note biodiversity - lots of variation = natural environment; little variation = often human influence.
• Always check if picking is allowed - in natural areas it is often not allowed.

Learn more?

Sign up for my online Wild Picking & Nature Wisdom course or join me on a wild picking walk. Nature is at your feet - you just need to learn to look.