Foraging in May (Part 1 of 3) - UK Wildcrafts Monthly Foraging Calendar

Learn what wild edibles you can forage in May. This is part 1 of foraging in May from the UK Wildcrafts Monthly Foraging Series
Check out the UK Wildcrafts Store- ukwildcrafts.teemill.com/
00:00 Wild foods in May
00:32 Common lilac (Syringa vulgaris)
02:48 Thistle stems/ Spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare)
05:33 Lady's smock/ cuckoo flower (Cardamine pratensis)
07:11 Spruce tips/ Norway spruce (Picea abies)
10:43 Sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum)
13:51 Common hawthorn blossoms (Crataegus monogyna)
15:04 Wild garlic flowers (Allium ursinum)
17:03 Lime/ linden tree leaves (Tilia sp.)

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Check out the UKWildcrafts Store- ukwildcrafts.teemill.com/

[@wolfenstein6676]

There's so much to learn about foraging and the uses of plants, plants that we just walk past nowadays or class as being 'weeds' due to our ignorance on the subject :) . It's channels such as yours, Lewis, that make this learning process fun as well as educational. Thanks as always :) .

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks much appreciated 😁

[@harrymann60]

Absolutey loving this calendar series bro, great production quality and super educational. Just so calm as well. Keep up the good work ❤❤

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Nice one 😁

[@Southwestwalker]

Have to commend you on such a fantastic set of videos. Seriously enjoying, and Learning together. Stunningly good editing and explanation. Thank you.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks much appreciated 😊

[@fA_ultz]

Great video...would be worth mentioning that wild garlic leaves can very easily be confused with those of Lilly of the Valley,which are toxic...but easily told apart as they don't smell garlicky. The problem arises when people assume a patch of wild garlic is,well,just a patch of garlic, when in fact it may also contain Lilly of the Valley...they pick a bunch of it, then don't smell each individual leaf before throwing it the pot.

[@shenkopta4512]

i have been using your channel for home learning and revision and im suprised that there are so much edible plants that we dont even know about great work. :)

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Great thank you 😊

[@pebblebeach7995]

New to your channel, but so impressed and grateful already. I am learning so much from you - you present the information so clearly and fully. Brilliant channel!! 🤩

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Great thank you 😊

[@danaefiedler2453]

Thanks for another great video. I can't wait to get out on my next foraging trip.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thank you. Much appreciated. Happy foraging 😁🌱

[@adrianbarker1130]

That was incredible Loved every second Im a professional gardener of 27 years, i havnt learned so much in ages Thanks so much Create a field handbook pleeease

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

I am actually working on an identification guide book. It will probably be a few years though, I want to try and cover almost all the edible wild foods of the uk in detail. So it will end up being a large book rather than a field guide :)

[@graemedevine9651]

@@UKWILDCRAFTS Keep me posted on that please, I've bought it already

[@adrianbarker1130]

@@UKWILDCRAFTS fantastic news I'd buy the book 100% Good luck and thanks for reply

[@aarongood220]

I’d love your book! Why not create a book for each month of the year ,get them out now instead of compiling years of info in one book? I would buy them 100%

[@Dee.K.Mikaelson]

@@UKWILDCRAFTS I'll definitely have that book too. 🙏🙏🙏

[@canneraski]

the beauty of foraging...was looking for garlic mustard for a while...then I noticed it in my next door neighbors garden 🤣

[@MitchTamcken]

I've got a lilac in my garden and I never knew I could harvest the flowers for more than a cutting flower!!

[@josilvester9159]

Lilac wine 😜

[@MitchTamcken]

@@josilvester9159 Oh now you've tickled my fancy 😉

[@Dee.K.Mikaelson]

I've got 2 aswell!!

[@MitchTamcken]

@@Dee.K.Mikaelson Let's get picking!!

[@davidmg1925]

Great to see Linnaeus binomial system used correctly. Thank you.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Cheers 😁

[@hannahmiles1324]

Definitely trying these. I just love the smell of wild garlic 😊

[@natureisallpowerful]

Try drying the flowers and blend them up with salt and youll have a lovely garlic salt 👍

[@hannahmiles1324]

@@natureisallpowerful I have a dehydrator so will give this a go. Thanks 😊

[@Dee.K.Mikaelson]

Me too.... And yet, as I've foraged wild garlic I noticed that people passing do not immediately smell it, not until they see me picking it.. And some even have to ask what I'm picking,?!!! 🙄😂

[@hannahmiles1324]

@@Dee.K.Mikaelson weird isn't it...it smells so strong to me?!

[@homesci3596]

I started my channel to let people know that weeds are not meant to be thrashed out but to show others that they can be made to good use, I just started to watch these foraging videos now to enhance more on the knowledge of edible wild plants.. Thank you

[@perculiar_daughter]

Wonderful identification and explanation. Thank you so much. I shall be watching out for these.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😊

[@NoShitMr]

Amazing video. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Here are small corrections: 1) You can not make honey of lilac. Only the bees can. You can make a syrup. 2) Sweet woodruff is Galium odoratum not Calium (written in the chapters).

[@quantafitness6088]

Sweet woodruff also makes a really great ingredient to a bedtime herbal tea as it has calming effects.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Ah I didn’t know it had calming affects. I like linden tea before bed but I might have to try this :)

[@quantafitness6088]

@@UKWILDCRAFTS Do try it, but it is quite powerful and too much can give nightmares. A few full grown leaves is usually enough. And I will have to try linden tea at night👍

[@bridgetgordon152]

Thanks for this info. I’m just getting acquainted with wild flowers, which I previously thought of as weeds 😆. I’m at the ID stage, so I take a pic or pick a part of the stem off and research at home from a wild flower book, your videos or the internet. It’s very satisfying to identify something correctly which I feel we should all know how to do this but the knowledge hasn’t been properly passed on until now, so thanks again!. I’m pretty sure I picked a specimen of hemlock the other day, which I took about 2 days to realise what it was so disposed of it quickly!

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

That’s great thanks. And yes I totally agree, love when I find a plant for the first time and identify it

[@Littlewing6was9]

Afternoon Lewis. Greetings from Manchester! Loving this series. I'm a new sub and keen forager and gardener. Made some stinging nettle soup and tea the other day. And some rhubarb apple and kiwi jam last night from my ample rhubarb patch. Love how you identify and explain everything, so clear and simple. Thank you

[@natureisallpowerful]

Definitely agree its very understandable and he explains how, when, why and where

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks much appreciated, how was the soup? One of my favourites of spring that is, with some potato, wild onion and crème fraiche 😋

[@Littlewing6was9]

@@UKWILDCRAFTS it was divine. Tasted like asparagus 😊

[@PilzE.]

Share-zees? 😁

[@ianbrowne9217]

Im from Manchester, and im naturally wary about nature.

[@starlight1867]

Thank you so much Lewis for this series. I’m an avid personal and community gardener helping in a local park / vegetable growing group. This year I’ve added more herbs to my garden and cleared a space in our park garden to start a herb bed to learn more about herbal tinctures and uses. Foraging was my next step and I’m so grateful to have found your brilliant channel. You describe plants so concisely and I’m searching out plants both growing wild in the park and in my dog walking expeditions. Your recipes are amazing too ! Thank you 🙏

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Ah thank you 🙏

[@naswtf]

Amazing series

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Nice one 😁

[@sololobo6060]

Thank you!! I'm going to the woods tomorrow. Woodruff and young Dryad's Saddle are already on my "shopping list" but thanks to you, I've got a few more items to look for now. Love your channel. Keep up the good work!

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Nice one. How did it go? I’ve not had any dryads saddle in my area yet this year. It’s been too dry I think

[@sololobo6060]

@@UKWILDCRAFTS I guess its been to dry for dryads here in Ireland too. I found lots of woodruff though. I'd picked and dried some from the same area a few weeks ago but its smell is much more potent now.

[@modestadventurers]

Lots in Shropshire.

[@Doobster67]

That was some excellent info! I am a forager myself and LOVE the fact that I am always adding to my knowledge thanks to videos like these! Thank You!

[@natureisallpowerful]

Me too. I love it when Ive put loads of effort into it and it pays off 👍

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks glad it helped 😁

[@graemedevine9651]

Thanks one of my favourite channels on KZbin, keep up the fantastic work.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Much appreciated thank you 😊

[@tacituskilgore8379]

Man i miss Somerset... March's edibles are only just appearing here in Northern Scotland!

[@Littlewing6was9]

I thoroughly enjoyed this. Happy foraging 🌼

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

😁

[@PlanetZhooZhoo]

Wow I would never have considered thistles!! So interesting!

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Yes they are great 😊

[@askapenguininja]

Hey dude... Simply thank you so much!!!! I have watched all of this series and waiting for the next episode to come out. I am now 3 videos in (April) and re-watching in detail while taking note. I am 32 years old and haven't made notes since Uni lmao. I am going to put this on every video along liking for the algorithm 🤣. I have some Mugwort and Lavender drying out and just made the wild garlic butter. Outstanding effort my friend, keep it up. Peace, love and positive vibes 😁😜✌️

[@SimSpark1]

most is in my garden..am i lucky! i have huge ferns coming up and eat the tips...sooo tasty

[@maxibake9323]

Great video, & what Beautiful views too. I found Wild Garlic last weekend, thanks to you. 👍 And Cleavers, Dock, Elderflowers, & very tall Nettles. Looking forwards to the rest of Mays instalments. TFS, & take care too everyone. ❤🙂🐶

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Great stuff 😁

[@maxibake9323]

@@UKWILDCRAFTS 👍🤗🌱❤🙂🐶

[@climate-civilizations]

Another excellent video.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😊

[@llflatty]

I can’t wait to try thistle now.

[@ayupmeduck5708]

Me too.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Let me know what you think. I love them. I’m always snacking on them when I’m out, I get some funny looks 😆

[@ayupmeduck5708]

@@UKWILDCRAFTS I'm glad they're not bitter. I'll be supplementing meals with them from now on. There's quite a few in my back yard. Thank you very much for the demonstration and the courage to give them a go.

[@Jacey922]

Thanks for this … I’m going on my first forage tomorrow … for teas and oil candles really … this video has give me more knowledge to take with me. Thank you. Wish me luck 🍀

[@christinehodge3608]

Enjoy all of your videos, so interesting especially tips of the tree can you make tea if you steep them in a cup of boiled water,

[@natureisallpowerful]

Like everyone always says about you and the way you explain it to us is really relatable. Especially for people beginning their foraging journey. I wish I'd of found youre channel in the beginning. Anyway I still am learning and always will be. Thanks mate its appreciated 👍

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Much appreciated thank you 😊

[@Wolfiiee]

Incredible videos! Loving this series and foraging alongside you :)

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😊

[@np7809]

Great video

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks :)

[@neil1261]

Lilac lemonade wow I’m going to try this! Thanks 🙏

[@waynerosiesharman6073]

Your videos are so informative Lewis - Thank you 🙏🏻😊

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😊

[@irmabronder]

You got a new fan! I always wanted to know this. This video came up in my recommendations. Much love. xx

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😁

[@elventuresuk]

Quality vids mate. I've been at the wild garlic and looking to expand my forgoing toolkit. Love your studd

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Nice one 😁

[@davepalmer4954]

Another great video! Thank you so much for sharing! 🙏🏻

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Cheers 😁

[@TheDisturbanceTheory]

I'm thoroughly enjoying your content and style Lewis, looking forward to part 2

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😊

[@FroggyShave]

Love your channel! Great information there ! ☺️👍

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

😁

[@avrilwinters]

Thank you for a brilliant video!

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😊

[@googlemusiconly1138]

I’ve just found your channel. You are amazing thank you so much!!!

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😊

[@stevegoody3744]

Really enjoying the month by month clips. I've been making notes from your clips and you've really motivated me to get out and study plants more. Can't thank you enough.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

That’s great 😁

[@headsmash10]

Great as always. Always look forward to the next parts! Moving to Aberystwyth next month and I'm excited to see what kind of foragables are there.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks :) Aberystwyth is lovely. A great place for coastal foraging

[@bobsaysbobon]

Thank you, concise and to the point, great vids 👌👌👌

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Nice one 😁

[@hArtyTruffle]

Very happy to see another episode for monthly foraging. Thanks so much. Your videos always help to ground me and are a source for my seasonal forging art journal I’m compiling for my own mental healing. Reconnecting with nature is top of my list. ✨🙏✨

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

That’s great thanks 😊

[@anthonyjacobs6790]

Another splendid addition to this wonderful series. Thank you.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Nice one 😁

[@dillipphunbar7924]

Excellent demonstration..beautiful countryside. Subscribed.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😊

[@ryankirk2007]

Really good watching buddy 👍🏼

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks mate 😁

[@user-yn2yb3ym4o]

I know this plant since childhood but never thought of it as a food. Yes, kids are looking for 5 petal flowers and eating them if found, means lucky. They smells lovely.

[@annaheya2109]

Love your videos! Learnt alot from them :)

[@woodnugget1301]

Really fabulous thank you for taking the time to make this series 👍

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😊

[@guzgrant]

Good stuff , very interesting .

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

😁

[@TheSussexOutdoorsman]

Hay Lewis, really enjoying the monthly foraging films. So helpful to know what's happening at this time of year. Please keep them coming.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks Rob 😁🌱

[@ritchieveteran1495]

Just found your channel 😊 superb . Thanks for sharing your knowledge Much love from your friends in Wales Ritchie Veteran and Raven x

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😊

[@slowgomera5611]

foraging should be on the school curiculum.thanks for the interesting vids.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

I agree 😁

[@BASurvival]

really loving the Foraging in series, pack full of useful information , and always learning new things , Thank you

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks mate 😁

[@EwkaDworczak]

Thank you again, I really like watching your channel

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😁

[@ramthian]

So beautiful 😻

[@jackwheatley8]

Cool about the thistles!!!!

[@ruthsmith2367]

Thank you, I will go for a walk out tomorrow and see what I can spot ❤️

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Enjoy 😊

[@poczytamci3389]

Just found your channel this morning, thank you for uploading all the videos, you are so thorough with showing the plants it helps so much to identify them, absolutely favorite channel 🙏🏻

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Great thank you 😊

[@damienfontaniere4015]

Thank you very much for your videos, they are very interesting and informative. I am particularly enjoying your different monthly foraging videos covering plants to forage during each different months.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Nice one thank you 😊

[@honorata1935]

Great, thank you.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

😁

[@UpToNoGood83]

Excellent video! I could see you doing this on TV . Keep up the Great work!

[@hoohargh9945]

Yr watching it ! 😀😉

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Nice one. Maybe one day hah

[@pinkpoodlepaloma]

This is a great series Lewis. Well done. You're the best with the ID. I've been following you since the scam*emic in 2020

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks glad you’re enjoying the series 😊

[@ramthian]

Beautiful 😻

[@PaulTheHermit77]

Lilac wine. Like Mr Buckley jnr.

[@11Talltree]

Fantastic, so glad I found this channel 💥💫Anyone recommend a foraging book.

[@krisztiankrankovits5771]

cant wait to see part 2!

[@mistercointreau5247]

I don't think I have seen lady smock before. I will look out for it.

[@lesleyv5923]

Outstanding series, so relaxing to listen to and learn from, thank you. We discovered you last month, and have been waiting for May's offerings! btw I am finding lamb's lettuce around my garden and adding it to my salads!

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thank you very much 😁. Love a bit of lambs lettuce

[@lesleyv5923]

@@UKWILDCRAFTS So do we - now that we can recognise it, and believe me it's coming up everywhere and I didn't plant it! Your work is outstanding, so accessible and a little oasis of calm (and hope) in today's crazy theatre.

[@amerruru2443]

Thank you so much 🌻

[@stormnest4892]

Great video Thank-you

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😊

[@pauladawson2648]

This is just Fabulous 👌. I love foraging vids, and you are very informative. Best 20 minute watch ever. I look forwards to more . 🤗

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks Paula 😁🌱

[@orsikun]

Thank you so much for your video. I have already known most of these plants but I didn't know that for example lime tree leaves or lilac edible . I can learn a lot from your videos . They are great help for a beginner forager like myself.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😊

[@KingOsirismindprogramming8888]

THANK YOU BROTHER 🙏🏆💜

[@mango1381]

Thank you for making the Video x

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

😁

[@ramthian]

I’ve missing you guys okx

[@captainmycaptain4195]

It's a fine line, between "edible" and "palatable" lol

[@chiarac2747]

I love your videos!

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thank you 😊

[@mariedamon5655]

Thank you so interesting x

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😊

[@danielflynn5999]

love this channel

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Cheers 😁

[@GameDevAcademy]

Great video. Subscribed.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😊

[@olmecking1]

Now that's what I call an intelligent man!

[@ramthian]

I have been missing you beautiful garden 🪴

[@hellieflow8889]

Thank you so much

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

😁

[@sixtysecondsofstephens2386]

So many edibles I never even knew of. Thanks again for all your knowledge. I've also noticed the resemblance you have to Tyson Fury.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Haha yeah I get that a lot 😆

[@sixtysecondsofstephens2386]

@@UKWILDCRAFTS I'm glad it's just not me that saw it then. 🤣

[@silviamagda]

I just made hawthorn syrup. ❤

[@SU-452]

You say that only the flowers are edible on a lilac... I understand that the leaves are edible too..? Great channel btw!

[@andycoates7628]

Thanks!

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks Andy! Much appreciated, Lewis

[@bebpane2468]

You mentioned wild garlic flower powder which sounds so brilliant, would you use the whole flower or just the petals, and would allowing the flower and leaves to dry naturally be a suitable way to dry them out?

[@xpansionteam1537]

Brilliant videos have you got a book out or can you recommend one? Cheers

[@charliethorne9579]

Love your videos man, new to foraging myself and they're really informative. Where in South Wales is this?

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😊. Mostly around the Wye valley and the Severn estuary

[@ramthian]

ขอบคุณค่ะ

[@UChoobKuki]

Hi Lewis, I have found a Hawthorn bush/tree near where I live but it doesn’t have any thorns? Are the young flowers still edible? Everything else about the bush/tree matches.