Bushcraft winter foraging
Few places on earth don’t have wild foods to forage, even if you don’t know how to find them. Foraging during the winter is the single most difficult time to find something to eat in the wild, as all the edible nuts, berries and leaves have gone, and the edible roots are often hard to find under the snow. There is always food out there, and hopefully, the following plants and tips will help with your bushcraft winter foraging during the least bountiful time of the year.
1. Pine Trees (Pinus species)
Edible Parts:
Pine needles, inner bark, pine nuts (from cones).
Where to Find Them:
Coniferous forests and wooded areas.
Foraging Tips:
Pine needles can be steeped in hot water to make a vitamin C-rich tea. The inner bark, or cambium, is edible and can be dried, ground into flour, or eaten raw. Pine nuts, though small, are a nutritious snack if you can find mature cones.
2. Birch Trees (Betula species)
Edible Parts:
Inner bark, sap (in late winter).
Where to Find Them:
Temperate and boreal forests, often near water sources.
Foraging Tips:
Like pine, birch inner bark is edible and can be processed into flour. In late winter, birch sap can be tapped for a sweet drink rich in minerals.
3. Cattails (Typha species)
Edible Parts:
Roots and shoots.
Where to Find Them:
Wetlands, marshes, and the edges of ponds or streams.
Foraging Tips:
The starchy rhizomes (roots) can be dug up from the frozen ground and cooked like potatoes. Young shoots can also be eaten raw or cooked. The roots are filled with tough fibers and it can be difficult to eat the whole thing, instead, pull some of the fibers out with your teeth and chew off the starchy inner part. Also known as Greater Reedmace.
4. Wild Garlic and Onion (Allium species)
Edible Parts:
Bulbs and leaves.
Where to Find Them:
Woodland edges, meadows, and open fields.
Foraging Tips:
Look for the signature onion or garlic scent when identifying these plants. They add flavor to soups and stews during winter.
5. Rose Hips (Rosa species)
Edible Parts:
Fruit.
Where to Find Them:
Along hedgerows, fields, and forest edges.
Foraging Tips:
These small, red fruits are rich in vitamin C. They can be eaten raw (after removing the seeds), dried for teas, or cooked into jams and syrups.
6. Wild Carrot (Daucus carota)
Edible Parts:
Roots.
Where to Find Them:
Fields, roadsides, and meadows.
Foraging Tips:
In winter, the plant dies back, but the root remains intact. Ensure proper identification, as wild carrot closely resembles the toxic poison hemlock.
7. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
Edible Parts:
Roots and leaves.
Where to Find Them:
Lawns, meadows, and roadside verges.
Foraging Tips:
Dig up dandelion roots from beneath the snow and use them for teas or roasting into a coffee substitute. Leaves are best harvested early in the season for a less bitter taste.
8. Mushrooms (Winter Fungi)
Edible Types:
Oyster mushrooms, wood ear, and velvet shank.
Where to Find Them:
Deadwood, stumps, and decaying logs in forests.
Foraging Tips:
Mushrooms are a great winter find, but only forage them if you are confident in identification, as many species are toxic.
9. Cranberries (Vaccinium species)
Edible Parts:
Fruit.
Where to Find Them:
Bogs, wetlands, and acidic soil regions.
Foraging Tips:
Cranberries often linger on their plants into the winter. These tart fruits are excellent for making sauces, juices, or preserves.
10. Chicory (Cichorium intybus)
Edible Parts:
Roots.
Where to Find Them:
Roadsides, open fields, and waste areas.
Foraging Tips:
Chicory roots can be roasted and ground into a coffee substitute. The plant is hardy and often available even in cold weather.
11. Cedar Trees (Thuja species)
Edible Parts:
Leaves and inner bark.
Where to Find Them:
Mixed forests.
Foraging Tips:
Cedar leaves can be brewed into a medicinal tea. The bark can also be stripped and dried for emergency sustenance.
Tips for Successful Winter Foraging
1. Focus on Perennial Plants
Perennials, like trees and shrubs, often have parts that remain edible throughout winter, such as nuts, seeds, and bark.
2. Look in Sheltered Areas
Sheltered areas, such as valleys, forest edges, or under snow cover, can protect plants from the harshest conditions, making them easier to find.
3. Follow Animal Tracks
Wildlife often leads to food sources. Look for tracks leading to berry bushes, nut trees, or water sources.
4. Harvest Responsibly
Winter is a critical time for wildlife survival. Avoid taking all available resources, leaving enough for the ecosystem to thrive.
5. Test New Foods Gradually
When trying unfamiliar plants, test small amounts first to ensure they don’t cause an allergic reaction or upset stomach.
