Bushcraft Fundamentals • Beginner & Intermediate • Field Skills & Safety
Hello all,
I hope you’re having a good week. This week’s edition of our Bushcraft Fundamentals how-to series covers some of the core aspects of foraging — a great guide aimed at anyone who’s new to foraging, or experienced foragers who want to recap some of the basics!
A core skill to work on while spending more and more time outdoors is the identification of natural resources — being able to tell them apart from potentially harmful plants — and one of my favourites is finding the tasty ones. Foraging is a great way to build a relationship between yourself and a host of hedgerow goodies, but it does require a bit of focused learning to avoid a prolonged period on the loo, or worse!
In the photo below, you might surprise yourself with how many plants you actually know, or can clearly identify, even if you don’t know their names. We'll list all of the plant species at the end!
One of the easiest ways to begin foraging is to focus on the plants you already recognise. Most of us can confidently identify at least a handful of familiar species that grow locally. These are ideal starting points because you’re likely to encounter them in different seasons and life stages, helping you understand how plants change throughout the year.
Pay particular attention to:
Recognising these features makes plant identification far more intuitive and also helps you decode the botanical language used in field guides and reference books.
Learning to identify plants accurately relies on observing multiple characteristics — not just one. Get into the habit of noticing:
Over time, these details build a mental archive that makes new plants easier to distinguish.
“One man’s meat is another man’s poison.”
Initially, how do you know what or who to listen to? By using a few different reference sources, you can make an educated decision. I have found this particularly useful when I’ve been stuck in an “it’s either A or B” situation, as some sources may hold that little gem that sits perfectly with the specimen you have.
Use several trustworthy sources — books, field guides, websites, videos — and compare notes. This is particularly helpful when two species appear similar. Often, one source will mention a key identifying detail that the others don’t.
Cross-referencing helps avoid mistakes like confusing edible species with dangerous lookalikes — a lesson many foragers have learned the hard way!
True story: After watching a video on YouTube about the merits and benefits of eating dock leaves, I finished off the evening’s viewing with a survival show where the host had a very unpleasant experience after doing just that!
Sharing what you learn is a surprisingly effective study tool. Explaining a plant’s features to someone else reinforces your knowledge and highlights any gaps in your understanding. It also invites questions, which can lead you to research more deeply.
Whether your audience is enthusiastic or long-suffering, you’ll find that teaching is one of the fastest ways to learn.
Using the plants you’ve identified takes your learning to a new level — but safety always comes first.
Some plants — like yew or hemlock — can be deadly even in small amounts.
Start with species that are very easy to recognise and have no dangerous lookalikes. As you gain experience, you’ll naturally begin to link plants with the habitats they prefer, noticing patterns in their environment and distribution.
Using plants also teaches you practical lessons that are transferable across multiple species, such as:
Responsible foraging protects wildlife, the environment, and other foragers.
General ethics to follow:
Where a plant grows tells you a lot about whether it’s safe to harvest. Remember W.E.E.D. each time you’re out:
W — Water
Flood zones, riverbanks, and wet areas can host contaminants and dangerous species such as Hemlock Water Dropwort. Avoid where possible while learning.
E — Emissions
Avoid areas exposed to chemical runoff, old industrial sites, or around bins.
E — Exhaust
Roadside plants near heavy traffic or traffic lights absorb more pollutants.
D — Dogs (and other animals)
Always pick well above “leg-lifting height,” and be mindful of areas that have been recently or regularly visited by wildlife.
This simple checklist keeps your harvest clean and reduces risks from pollutants and pathogens.
From our photo challenge — test yourself!
