featured_spectre Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 For the last few weeks I have been taking my daughter out every day for a walk in a grassy park area near us (literally a stones throw away - where you can see Deer and woodpeckers etc), and today I decided to go post a letter (post box is on the other side of the park. Today on my walk I came across the following Blackberry bush Raspberry bush Strawberry bush Cherry Tree Fig Tree Pear Tree Apple tree Radish plants This has made me VERY happy as there is nothing nicer than really fresh fruit and I can go and pick it when its in season. I already picked most of the strawberries and have washed them (and made them into an absolutely lovely Jam)...Anybody else do this in their local area?
creese Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 You missed Venison from your list. Or did the stones miss?
creese Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 ,,, by the way, I've told your local council and the bill for the fruit and veg is in the post.
featured_spectre Posted July 12, 2011 Author Posted July 12, 2011 Legally cannot hunt on those grounds, as for telling the council, feel free, I already got permission - I checked because it is public property, I can pick whatever grows provided is not endangered or a rare species.
creese Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 Legally cannot hunt on those grounds, as for telling the council, feel free, I already got permission - I checked because it is public property, I can pick whatever grows provided is not endangered or a rare species. It never stopped Robin Hood. There;s nothing like free food. Have you seen the price if Blackberries in Tesco?
DJ-Jonesy Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 Best things in life are free..... apart from fast cars!
teejay Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 Just don't eat anything picked 18 inches or nearer to the ground without washing it first if it's a common route for dog walkers:eek: It's amazing what foraging you can do, if you can find someone who is an expert on it to show you the ropes, you'll find all sorts of edible stuff.
featured_spectre Posted July 12, 2011 Author Posted July 12, 2011 Well the cherries I have already picked and made into a delicious gateaux, the blackberries and raspberries I am waiting to ripen, the strawberries have been made into a jam, the figs I am waiting to ripen, the pears and apples need to grow some more before I pick them, and the radish needs to grow a bit more also. I have also found some wild garlic flowers as well, so I am very very happy. I knew my interest in botany would pay off!
featured_spectre Posted July 12, 2011 Author Posted July 12, 2011 Just don't eat anything picked 18 inches or nearer to the ground without washing it first if it's a common route for dog walkers:eek: It's amazing what foraging you can do, if you can find someone who is an expert on it to show you the ropes, you'll find all sorts of edible stuff. Everything apart from the trees are behind about 2 ft of stinging nettles...so I dont need to worry too much about the dogs
teejay Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 Everything apart from the trees are behind about 2 ft of stinging nettles...so I dont need to worry too much about the dogs Oooh, nettles, so that's soup, wine and beer sorted
MK-2 Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 yep we've done the same with blackberries along our canal walk....picked a load and frozen them ready for when we want to use. will do the same this year and see what else we can find
arwen Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 Just don't eat anything picked 18 inches or nearer to the ground without washing it first if it's a common route for dog walkers:eek: It's amazing what foraging you can do, if you can find someone who is an expert on it to show you the ropes, you'll find all sorts of edible stuff. I will never forget watching a junkie picking clean a blackberry bush... he didnt know this rule!
featured_spectre Posted July 12, 2011 Author Posted July 12, 2011 My neighbour has a damson tree in his garden, and makes a VERY good gin out of it...
e_g_r Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 Dandelion leaves are brilliant in Salad and cheaper than rockett. My Neighbours Pear Tree overspills into my back garden so their mine. Other neighbours have plum and apple trees that go over into an access lane so their up for grabs. Their used to be Rasberry canes in the lane but their now in my back garden and Elders provide flowers or berries for eating and drinking.
featured_spectre Posted July 12, 2011 Author Posted July 12, 2011 Did not know about dandelion leaves, got a wealth of those nearby
witch Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 ..and in the autumn - wild hazelnuts - the best food on this earth IMHO
featured_spectre Posted July 12, 2011 Author Posted July 12, 2011 where can I find them witch? What should I look out for?
witch Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 Have a look on google images - they are fairly easy to spot but remember that wild ones are smaller than the cultivated cob nuts, and they can vary in looks - some have the green part covering the whole nut and some have it as a 'frill'. The nuts are all ready developing well although they won't be ready until late Aug/early Sept depending where you are in the UK. Hazelnut trees look a bit like beech trees, leaf-wise, but the leaves aren't shiny like beech leaves are. Look around when you are out walking and see what you can spot! Google Image Result for http://www.hawk-conservancy.org/images/articles/200810/Hazel%20nuts.jpg 1
featured_spectre Posted July 12, 2011 Author Posted July 12, 2011 will look out for them thanks I am so glad that there is so much out there near here for free Saves me so much on my summer fruit shop
saundersmatt Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 ..and in the autumn - wild hazelnuts - the best food on this earth IMHO Agreed wholeheartedly. I still have one tight-leg full hanging in my cellar from last year's collection. Matt
witch Posted July 12, 2011 Posted July 12, 2011 Agreed wholeheartedly. I still have one tight-leg full hanging in my cellar from last year's collection. Matt I can't ever keep them - find 'em, eat 'em AFAIC. I must eat pounds and pounds every year
featured_spectre Posted August 8, 2011 Author Posted August 8, 2011 Adding to my list red grapes...came across a whole vine of them...made my Mrs day as she lives them.
e_g_r Posted August 8, 2011 Posted August 8, 2011 On my commute home today along the Rochdale Canal i spotted a disussed orchard (approx 8 green apple trees) Broken down fence, overgrown with blackberrys. I can feel a crumble, pie and jam coming on Neighbours pears are ripe, any ideas what to make with them?
featured_spectre Posted August 8, 2011 Author Posted August 8, 2011 Pear and Apple turnover....very nice...I'm making a fruit loaf with my stuff :-) 1
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