Pick From The Park ... Foraging for Food

EcoWorrier · #1 (**permalink**) 25-09-2010, 02:30 PM

We have started a Facebook group and public Google map to promote the use of "Pick From The Park" and, after a great tweet by the National Trust, things are really starting to gain a head of steam.

Why not head over to the Facebook Group we have created and take a look.

Pick From The Park | Facebook

Please feel free to share links to any and all social networking you have access to - the more the merrier!

Cheers

EW

Littlesparrow · #2 (**permalink**) 27-09-2010, 06:37 PM

Hi, what sort of foods do you have in mind? are you thinking of say good blackberry picking areas or more like people who have too much fruit on their fruit trees and can't or don't pick it themselves?

EcoWorrier · #3 (**permalink**) 27-09-2010, 07:11 PM

Hi

All sorts really - we already have Rowan, Cherries, plums and apples - all growing on "public" land. One chap is interested in wild hops for brewing.

There are, of course, the usual suspects: Blackberries.

There is no limit, I guess, so if you know where there's wild asparagus, a grove of cob nuts or field of ... field mushrooms ... and you're prepared to share then post it and be appreciated!

Cheers

EW

Littlesparrow · #4 (**permalink**) 28-09-2010, 01:36 PM

I use to live in Rainham in Kent, and it seemed to be far more common for the hedgerow to contain damsons, wild pear and hazelnuts, where as in Cheshire you don't really get this. I assume the farmers would have planted them like this originally, although nobody was interested in picking it except me.Anyway what I was wondering was, could you get in trouble for picking the hedgerow as it must belong to someone? or is it accepted that if it is on the roadside and you are not doing any damage you can help yourself?

EcoWorrier · #5 (**permalink**) 29-09-2010, 05:50 PM

Hi

I have tried to get a definitive answer on this one and "officially" you have to get the permission of the land owner if you want to pick fruit etc ... this may be more difficult than one expects - is it the local council, a housing association, the highways agency, the parish council, a private land owner, a trust etc...

And that, one assumes, goes for Blackberries too!

My guess is as long as you are on a public right of way and not causing any damage and you pick in a responsible manner then no one is likely to get up set let alone prosecute you.

An example ... I recently took some Rowan for near by - the trees are on a green outside some retirement bungalows. I contacted the Parish Council who put me in touch with the local council who put me in touch with the housing association who said it was the responsibility of the Parish Council - my 1st port of call.

I ended up talking to one of the old boys who lives in the bungalows and asked if he thought anyone would mind - he said - you better get in quick before the starlings eat them all. I took 2.5kg of berries the next day and gave a jar of the resulting jelly to the old boy.

My impact on the total crop was negligible - you would not have known I'd taken them unless you had counted every berry.

If any one else has any other info on this subject I would be interested to hear.

Cheers

EW

Littlesparrow · #6 (**permalink**) 29-09-2010, 07:24 PM

Yes i thought it was a bit of a grey area. I walk miles with my Collie dog and usually have a pocket of poo bags, handy if you find some free wild foods.
My only disaster was when i picked what I thought were mushrooms and made myself very ill, i still can't bring myself to pick any now even if I'm sure what they are.

chazzpott · #7 (**permalink**) 08-10-2010, 11:44 PM

I have joined this group and think that it will develop into an interesting and useful resource for all those that enjoy a bit of foraging.

Check it out. You might like it.

clackdish · #8 (**permalink**) 20-04-2011, 07:13 PM

have just joined this am quite lucky as i live near a few quite big parks, also am really keen to try this out didnt know they are edible !! not many people forage for them at the mo !!!!! there are that many different species and each tastes different apparently so if you find a nice one try and get the name !

Fuchsia Berry Jelly
1 cup fuchsia flowers
1 cup ripe, washed fuchsia berries
1 cup sugar
Juice of 1 lemon
2 cups of water (or apple juice or apple cider)
1 apple, sweet, peeled and chopped
2 tablespoons of unflavored gelatin

Simmer flowers, berries, sugar, lemon juice, water, and apple for 10 minutes. Let mixture cool a bit, then strain it. Add the gelatin and allow to thicken in refrigerator.

Fuchsia Berry Jam
1 lb. sugar
2 tablespoons water (or apple pectin, apple juice or cider)
juice of 1 lemon
1 ½ lb. of ripe fuchsia berries, washed

Combine sugar, water and lemon juice in a pan and cook carefully over low heat until sugar dissolves. Set aside and allow to cool completely. Add the berries gently, folding them into the mixture so as not to break up the berries too much. Bring the mixture slowly to a boil. Boil until the mixture will set when tested on a plate. Seal in heated jars. Allow to cool completely before eating, then enjoy!