What do you forage?

[FarmerJamie]

Oh, used to get a 5 gallon bucket of black walnuts from my grandpa

 

[Trying2keepitReal]

I know it isn't raspberry season, but is it true that there is not a poisonous "fake" raspberry out there? That if you find berries-raspberry or black berries that they are all edible? I would love to forage more but I am a super wus when it comes to getting sick. I don't want to poison us.

and is it ok to pick at all state parks? I never heard that before either.

Tons of mushrooms out here, but same thing, don't know what is good and what isn't.

 

[NH Homesteader]

I’ve never heard of anything that looks like a blackberry/raspberry, and we eat lots and lots of them that we find!
I’m nervous about mushrooms other that chicken of the woods and Chaga, lol. I don’t love mushrooms so I really only do Chaga tea. Which reminds me… we haven’t done that in a while… going to make some!

 

[Alaskan]

I know it isn't raspberry season, but is it true that there is not a poisonous "fake" raspberry out there? That if you find berries-raspberry or black berries that they are all edible? I would love to forage more but I am a super wus when it comes to getting sick. I don't want to poison us.

and is it ok to pick at all state parks? I never heard that before either.

Tons of mushrooms out here, but same thing, don't know what is good and what isn't.

For berries, you just need a really good book.

I love my berry book. (Which I can't find at the moment... but here is a link to Amazon with the same book)

Alaska's Wild Berries and Berry-Like Fruit by Verna E. Pratt (1995-06-03): Amazon.com: Books

Alaska's Wild Berries and Berry-Like Fruit by Verna E. Pratt (1995-06-03) on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Alaska's Wild Berries and Berry-Like Fruit by Verna E. Pratt (1995-06-03)

www.amazon.com

Anyway, it is pocket sized, CLEAR, clearly organized, and tells you if there are any similar poisonous berries.

Same thing with mushrooms.

For shrooms we use 2 books. A simplified local only book, and then a bigger northwestern mushroom book. Again, both mushroom books list all possible look alikes, and how to tell them apart.

When I first started I went to a mushroom meet-up /learning hour at the local park. It was super helpful, but now in these "times of covid" not sure you can find one to attend.

As to picking from public land. From what I understand it is fine, BUT you need to gather responsibility. It is easy to damage the mushroom bed, and the mycelium grows very slowly. When you harvest a mushroom you need to use a sharp knife and cut off the fruiting body without damaging any of the mycelium (the roots of the plant).

If you are very gentle/careful with your harvest, then new mushrooms will pop up on the same spot every year, and you will know where to go.

 

[tortoise]

and is it ok to pick at all state parks? I never heard that before either.

You can forage some parts of plants in State parks in Wisconsin. https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Lands/NaturalAreas/WildEdibles.html

 

[Cecilia's-life]

chicken of the woods

Is that also called a puffball? Or are they different mushrooms?

 

[Alaskan]

We only do butter clams and other little steamers occasionally. It's the sitting them in salt water for a day to clean the sand out that takes patience.

I think we only have the little ones up here.

 

[Mini Horses]

@whysprs do you collect these items? Do you use/process them and I what form? How are the results from use -- i.e do the preps work?

@Hinotori ... I know you forage, process, use. What do you feel is most successful as to results of relief for the purpose targeted.

I've always been interested in herbalism, natural treatments. This year, having so many of the better known growing here, I'm going to process some infused oils, salves. But looking for input from those already experienced with best working for purpose. Limit my attempts. Suggestions, opinions? Appreciate you!

 

[Mini Horses]

few ampules of these is like doing a shot lol but

. That's true pain relief!

I appreciate the info. I'm going to use a comfrey, plantain, maybe dandelion mix. My blessing is I rarely have pain, beyond occasional sore muscles. But a friend with RA is volunteering to test. 🤣. So, oils or salve for her...salve is a little neater. She hurts "all the time". That'll give me feedback between us. This will be my first salve making but I've used poultices before, yrs back. Have made infused oils. Lotta goat milk soap, too. 👍😁

@Hinotori do you have broadleaf plantain there? I've heard it's good lightly sauted. I'll try it one day 😄. I know people who eat dandelion leaf in salads. Goats eat most of mine.

 

[flowerbug]

a pretty easy mushroom to hunt and identify is the morel, out west i think you have more of the darker ones that show up.

you can also get them to grow on your own property if the conditions are favorable. when you go out and hunt some when you pick them when you rinse them off before cooking keep the rinse water and spread it around your property. within a few years you should see some results.