Foraging in June in the UK: Guidance, Tips and Recipes

June is a delightful month for foraging in the UK, with a wide variety of plants coming into season. This is the perfect time to explore the outdoors and discover the wealth of edible and medicinal plants available. In this post, we'll provide a detailed list of plants you can forage in June, tips for safe and sustainable harvesting, and some exciting ways to use your finds.

What to Forage in June

June offers a diverse range of plants and flowers that are ready for foraging. Here's a list of some of the best finds this month:

1. Elderflowers

• Identification: Large, flat-topped clusters of tiny, creamy-white flowers with a sweet, fragrant aroma.
• Uses: Elderflowers can be used to make elderflower cordial, wine, or champagne. They are also great for infusions, adding a floral note to desserts, or making elderflower fritters.
• Tip: Pick on a dry, sunny day for the best flavor.

2. Nettles

• Identification: Tall plants with serrated leaves and tiny, stinging hairs.
• Uses: Perfect for nettle soup, tea, or as a spinach substitute in various recipes. Nettles are rich in vitamins and minerals.
• Tip: Harvest only the young, tender tips for the best taste and nutritional value.

3. Wild Garlic

• Identification: Broad, pointed leaves with a strong garlic smell, white star-shaped flowers.
• Uses: Excellent in pestos, soups, salads, and as a flavoring in various dishes. The flowers can also be used as a garnish.
• Tip: Harvest the leaves before the flowers are fully open for the best flavor.

4. Chickweed

• Identification: Small, delicate plant with tiny white star-like flowers and oval leaves.
• Uses: Can be eaten raw in salads, added to sandwiches, or used as a spinach substitute in cooked dishes. Chickweed is also known for its soothing properties in skin treatments.
• Tip: Best harvested in the morning after the dew has dried.

5. Meadowsweet

• Identification: Tall plant with creamy-white, frothy flower clusters and a sweet, almond-like fragrance.
• Uses: Can be used to flavor drinks, desserts, and jams. Meadowsweet also has medicinal properties, known for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.
• Tip: Harvest the flowers just as they begin to open for the most potent aroma.

6. Wood Sorrel

• Identification: Small plant with heart-shaped leaves and white or pinkish flowers.
• Uses: Adds a lemony flavor to salads, soups, and sauces. It can also be used in herbal teas.
• Tip: Use sparingly due to its oxalic acid content.

 

Tips for Safe and Sustainable Foraging

1. Correct Identification: Always ensure you have correctly identified a plant before consuming it. Use a good foraging guidebook or app, and consider joining a guided foraging walk.
2. Harvest Responsibly: Take only what you need, leaving enough for wildlife and plant regeneration. A general rule is to harvest no more than 10% of any plant population.
3. Respect the Environment: Tread lightly, avoid disturbing wildlife, and leave no trace of your presence.
4. Avoid Contaminated Areas: Do not forage near roadsides, industrial areas, or where pesticides have been used.
5. Know the Law: Ensure you are foraging legally. Some areas, such as nature reserves, have restrictions.

 

Recipes and Remedies

Elderflower Cordial

• Ingredients: 15 elderflower heads, 1.5 liters of water, 1 kg sugar, 2 lemons, 50 g citric acid.
• Instructions: Shake the elderflowers to remove insects. Boil water, dissolve sugar, and add sliced lemons and citric acid. Pour over elderflowers, cover, and leave for 24 hours. Strain and bottle the cordial.

Nettle Soup

• Ingredients: 1 large onion, 2 cloves garlic, 2 tbsp olive oil, 4 cups vegetable broth, 4 cups fresh nettle leaves, 2 potatoes, salt, pepper, lemon juice.
• Instructions: Sauté onion and garlic in oil. Add broth and diced potatoes, simmer until tender. Add nettles, cook for 5-7 minutes, blend until smooth, season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice.

Wild Garlic Pesto

• Ingredients: 100 g wild garlic leaves, 50 g Parmesan cheese, 50 g nuts (pine nuts, walnuts), 100 ml olive oil, salt.
• Instructions: Blend wild garlic leaves, cheese, and nuts. Slowly add olive oil while blending, season with salt.

 

Health and Environmental Benefits

Foraging promotes a healthy lifestyle by providing access to fresh, organic, and nutrient-rich food. It encourages outdoor activity and a deeper connection with nature. Environmentally, foraging supports sustainable food practices, reduces reliance on commercially grown produce, and maintains ecological balance.

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Thank you!

Dear readers,

Thank you for exploring the delightful world of foraging in June with me! I hope these tips and ideas inspire you to safely and sustainably gather nature’s bounty. Your enthusiasm for foraging and commitment to the environment means so much to me.

For more delightful herbal tips, nourishing recipes, and a touch of nature’s magic, please sign up to our newsletter and be sure to check out our organic herbal teas section on the website: Organic Herbal Teas.

Wishing you all the best in your foraging adventures!

With love,
Leyla Jane
www.petalandherb.love