New to Foraging? Start Here! 5 Plants for Absolute Beginners

Learn how to safely identify 5 plants in Spring and early Summer, along with some useful tips for new foragers
Check out the UK Wildcrafts Store- ukwildcrafts.teemill.com/
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How to get started in foraging-
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00:00 Foraging for beginners
00:29 Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
02:44 Foraging Tip
03:06 Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica)
05:10 Wild Garlic/ Ramsons (Allium ursinum)
08:51 Foraging Tip
09:16 Clover (Trifolium spp.)
10:51 Foraging Tip
11:05 Bramble Shoots (Rubus fruticosus)
13:14 Outro

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Check out the UK Wildcrafts Store- ukwildcrafts.teemill.com/

[@peterlowery7243]

Love your videos mate. Thank you. I just started foraging. I went yesterday and managed to get some nettles, Dandelion leaves, common Hogweed and wild garlic. I have a juicer so I threw most of it in with a lime, apple, ginger and carrot. I've realised everything in a supermarket has no "life force" left in it. Even the organic stuff. As soon as I chew on a wild garlic leaf I can feel the energy from it.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks mate. Yes I know exactly what you mean, much veg is force grown in poor soil nowadays. So much more nutrition in our wild veggies 😁

[@lloydzabaroni4644]

How do you prepare these things to eat

[@richardcrook2112]

@@lloydzabaroni4644 I just boil them with rice, then add some meat and sauce.

[@oliveu8433]

This was so clear, detailed and helpful! I'm excited to go out today and look for what I've learned!

[@tashcheung4086]

I echo the last commentator: "Love your videos mate!" Not only for the content, but because, living in Spain, I'm used to loud, abrasive delivery. Whereas yours is soft, gentle and infinitely more pleasant to listen to! Just one thing: I have found that nettles (one of the few things you mention that we have here) lose their 'sting' if you put them on water . Strange, as they often grow almost IN water, but it's true 😊

[@kyloluma]

I recently found a giant bank of wild garlic while I was across the country. I took enough to make a jar of wild garlic paste so that it can last longer and I can bring it back.

[@Grom268]

Your video is very therapeutic

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😊 🌱

[@JeffoJonJ]

..such a great way of teaching...natural..no bullshit 😉 Cheers

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😊

[@TitiniusAndronicus]

Please could you do a video on how to forage for carbohydrates? It seems to be the most difficult part of foraging (and the easiest part of agriculture).

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Yes good idea thanks, I’ll put it on my list 😁

[@fanfan7305]

Thank you! Very useful. Appreciated.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Nice one :)

[@Noingoldmells-holidays]

Been foraging for a while but this was very sensible info. I feel less like the village weirdo now that I see so many other are actually foraging. Keep the videos coming.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Haha it’s the weirdos who aren’t foraging 😁

[@martindavies6665]

Hello🖐how are you doing, hope you are safe over there ? I would love us to be good friends in and in trust if you doing mind. I'm Martin Davies

[@readstorieslearnenglish]

Great video for a beginner. Thanks!

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

😁

[@Westbird1]

I make sure to always keep dandelions and catsear in my back yard when mowing. I eat about 5-7 a day. dandelion flowers have a mild sweet taste cats ear is a little more bitter. I like the mythology about the dandelion how it represents the rising of the sun and moon (to put it short)

[@orangeedo]

I didn't know about the blackberry leaves. Thx.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

You’re welcome 😊

[@craigandheston-urbangarden1134]

Love how much detail that you went into on dandelions 😂 consistent!

[@poczytamci3389]

You make 'coffee' from roasted dandelion roots, it's my plan this year , great video👍🏻 The flowers you can fry in light or deep batter, taste awesome 😎 Great tip about the nettle and flowers 🌸

[@nimfluence8967]

Sat watching tucked up in bed unwell but can't wait to get started, calming video and very helpful

[@rumpelstilkstin]

That was so good. Really appreciate your kindness in telling us. I know all those plants so well from childhood.....but I never knew you could eat blackberry leaves,,,,wow,

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks. Yes now is the perfect time for those bramble shoots. Keep an eye out 😄

[@JM-se3kt]

Brilliant content! Thank you!

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😊

[@abundleofmyrrh]

Thank you for sharing your information I very much appreciate it 😁

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😊

[@lottieisthequarry]

Nettles. I spend every march picking as many nettles as I can to make soup for the freezer for the next winter. Bloomin lovely , my fave soup (get them while they are tiny or they're bitter) and the Garlic I make pesto with it (half n half with peas so it's not so strong) freezes really well too. I need to have a go at dandelion 'honey'.

[@Weirdisjustabrownandyellowword]

Dandelion honey? Please explain.

[@jonathandeleyser1782]

Great video - appreciate you “filling in the gaps” with videos of key species you didn’t have covered before.

[@seansmart2756]

Just a thanks for all the content on your channel. This is just the kind of channel I've been looking for!

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Great, thank you 😊

[@nickob55]

Have been learning foraging in Bulgaria the last two years, we have tons of wild garlic, brambles, clover, dandelions, and have been doing a bit of guerrilla planting of elderberry, sunflowers, mainly info researched from you guys, so thanks.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Amazing stuff 😁

[@amerruru2443]

Thank you so much 🌻

[@Fireandaxes]

Great videos my friend. Super clear identification and loads of relevant information. Thank you!

[@peterfleming6870]

Glad your back with another great video. I've been making nettle tea and eating gorse and primrose flowers so far this year.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😊

[@ramthian]

Lovely.

[@riddimchef1]

Great to see you back 👍🏾

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

😁

[@moodyrain5350]

Thanks for the great video. Good to see you’re back! Looking forward to learning lots more about foraging from you

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😊. Yes lots more videos to come in the spring

[@lyndajordan6479]

Thank you so much once again.

[@theforagersgarden]

Your videos really helped us at the beginning when we were novice foragers. Thanks for all the info as always 😊🍄💚🌿

[@Falconer710]

Just having a refresher 😂🤣😂watched this vid awhile ago going out this weekend ☮️

[@JoelTConnors]

I might make myself a dandelion and bramble salad!

[@breakawayfromme]

Great video, I always carry a pair of scissors when foraging as somethings like plantain for example uproot really easily Also nettles make a really good plant fertilizer, all you have do is chop/cut it up, place it in a bucket/storage bin, add water making sure all the nettles are covered, close or place something over top to cover and then leave for a few weeks, after that just remove the nettles and you have fertilizer. I will warn you it smells terrible and your best wearing gloves as the odour stains your hands.

[@GlitzyWitch]

Great info thank you

[@zixaa]

you're very knowledgable, thank you

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thank you 😊

[@lifewithnitasaikia6156]

Amazing informative video. Love it

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thank you very much 😁

[@patriciaperez3638]

Thanks for the video😊

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

You’re welcome 😊

[@amyn3262]

Thank you this was so helpful!!

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

You’re welcome 😁

[@anonymous-or3uk]

Great video thanks

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

😁

[@sixtysecondsofstephens2386]

Great video. Really good for beginners, thanks for sharing.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😊

[@nafjon1]

Thank you, this is amazing!

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Cheers 😁

[@jadeferguson6582]

Thanks for your videos, I'm finding them to be very helpful indeed. I began foraging for the first time this year, fell in love with wild garlic 👌🏼 I'll definitely be referring to your videos 😊

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Ah thanks I’m glad they help. I’ll warn you it’s a very addictive hobby 😆

[@A_Really_Nice_Guy]

Great video!

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😊🌱

[@Ollsy]

im here learning before the apocalypse happens

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

For sure no harm in being prepared 👍

[@helenkrane6313]

Same!

[@jaquesaulait]

Another good presentation, thanks mate.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Cheers mate 😊

[@ramthian]

I love it too ❤

[@joywong23]

Thanks, very clear.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

😁

[@deangoddard821]

Amazing vid, many thanks

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😊

[@juliehartley3510]

Thank you for this video, I am starting out in foraging and this is perfect, easy plants (that I already know). I am grateful for your help and advice, smelling the leaves is a great tip.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thank you 😊. Enjoy your foraging!

[@pickynicky6265]

thank you very much great video , i have all these growing in my garden hooorah have a great day , best foraging vid ive seen x will be watching others

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Great thanks 😊

[@Improveng1]

Excellent, thank you

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😊

[@kayden5238]

Found my first wild garlic patch today wow the garlic smell hits you before you even reach the site def makes it easy to find if your eyes miss it , also they prefer damp shaded soil i noticed (look around the lowest parts of a forest where water in teh ground may collect or store longer)

[@duchessofdark]

Thanks so much for this video 🙏

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

You’re welcome :)

[@aabbushcraft]

Great video for beginners 👍

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Cheers mate 😁

[@justmadeit2]

You have a great channel, I've watched a couple of your others,you explain stuff well

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😊

[@downeyfootball8419]

Brilliant introduction!

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😊

[@azmyibrahim6930]

Really nice and educational stuff. I love and enjoy being outdoors in the nature but hardly wanted to forage because of the risks. Now following your videos I'll certainly give it a try, starting first with what I've in my garden. Best wishes.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

The garden is a great place to start! You’ll be surprised at the amount of edible ‘weeds’

[@SocietyOfTheSpectacl]

Had my first Alexanders florets yesterday. Very Nice. Daisy Leaves next.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Yes Alexander florets have an unusual flavour but I like them

[@riddimchef1]

Worth mentioning that it’s a good idea to look upwards when foraging too. I know a great spot for wild garlic but rooks are nesting immediately above so probably not a good idea to pick from that kind of place 😊

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Yes good point thanks

[@HazzM]

Lol, if a person can't identify bird s**t on their food then perhaps it's best they stick to the supermarket!

[@riddimchef1]

@@HazzM I was just trying to be helpful. Really no need for your cocky remarks. 😢

[@HazzM]

@@riddimchef1 sorry, I meant it more in jest. Didn't mean to cause upset 👍

[@leoniew3859]

@@HazzM :-D

[@LeGavroch]

Good to see you about

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

😁

[@martinsmith3614]

New to this but the last comment about where the plant puts its energy in its growing cycle is the bit best to eat is most helpful. Thank you.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

😊

[@llflatty]

Just started foraging, been eating lots of jack by the hedge, dead nettles and dandelions. Tomorrow I’ll be out looking for wild garlic and clover now I’ve watched this video, thanks 💕

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Any luck with the wild garlic? Jack by the hedge is a good one, did you like it?

[@nicholas70paul]

The Lion King.. lovely plant.. looks beautiful too.. daisy family.

[@nickcurrie9499]

Fantastic video and very practical, loved it thanks. I’m an amateur forager and looking forward to this year’s new season of exploring early spring. Didn’t know about bramble shoots being edible. Will keep watching your vids-very inspirational, best wishes 😊

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thank you 😁. Spring is a great time to be getting into foraging 🌱

[@zachbowden1993]

Stumbled upon you in the last couple weeks and foraged my first leaves a few weeks back with coincidentally was wild garlic! I noticed the garlic smell around them immediately and had to grab some leaves! This video has given me a good few ideas of things to look out for so thanks!

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

That’s great :). Yes the smell is unmistakable, especially once it’s in flower it’s even stronger then

[@bluebelluk]

Thanks for this video! Foraging has been on my radar for a number of years through reading articles and watching videos, as well as picking the odd plant to bring home to identify. However I want to take it more seriously now and get out on regular foraging walks and getting more acquainted with plants to help supplement my diet. Have a fabulous day! Terri

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Hi Terri, yes it's a great thing to get into. I find foraging very relaxing, and provides lots of nutritious food too. Thank you, much appreciated. Lewis :)

[@bluebelluk]

@@UKWILDCRAFTS Do you run group courses or do 1-2-1 sessions? If so, do you have a website for more information? Thanks for any information you can share! Terri

[@ramthian]

ขอบคุณค่ะ

[@ashcurt66]

Thankyou so much for this video. I have fancied foraging for some time and this has give me the inspiration I need to make a start. Thankyou for spending time to make these inspiring educationl videos. New sub for sure.x

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks :). How are you getting on with foraging?

[@ashcurt66]

@@UKWILDCRAFTS well I ain't but I've bought 2 small books one for forraging and one for mushrooms, but mushroom forraging is a bit scary for me, as I don't want to poison myself just yet. Let's at least get Xmas out the way 1st. 🤣

[@k.o3336]

I’ve only picked blackberries I’m going to try to forage other stuff like wild garlic hopefully

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks for watching, subscribe for more plant and mushroom ID videos kzbin.info

[@Joesalford5]

I was reading about the dandelion and the piece said it takes its name from "dent de lion" French meaning teeth of the lion owing to the shape of the leaves, if true I like the sound of it, Great videos sir.

[@kenansaid6271]

This is such an awesome video and he is so articulate, learning a few plants at a time and then moving on to others is the best way he’s right , so vitamin C, iron and Easy and you can get from Bramble shoots, but how do I figure out how much is in a particular portion if I am to benefit from them? If that makes sense?

[@kwicher]

Thanks!

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

You're welcome! And thank you :D

[@kwicher]

@@UKWILDCRAFTS Not at all. Thank you for all the great content you create.

[@kingsfables2207]

Wish it was summer all year round in the UK 😂

[@jeanneratterman]

The milky sap from the dandelion is related to latex (my understanding) in case anyone has latex allergy. I do. However, I can drink the tea and eat the yellow flowers. I just stay clear of the sap.

[@superrodder2002]

these 5 are all easy to find in Ontario Canada.

[@9tribe176]

Really awesome videos and help for us beginners....just wondered as I love herbal natural medicine....if you could add the medicinal properties for each plant please....I think that'd be great for your viewers also. GREAT WORK MY FRIEND! Xxx Love Claire xxx

[@MammothChats]

I can’t wait to start foraging! Thanks for making this video!

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

😁

[@bushcraftandastronomer.3775]

Thanks very much for this video which I found to be most useful and helpful. I've got few books on wild foragging as I'm start g out. Would you recommend apps on wild foragging? Which ones you suggest on Google play store? Enjoyable video to learn on wild foragging!

[@appak001]

Do you guys have a Facebook page. You could do posts to let us know which old videos are currently relevant to what’s in season.k x

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Hey yes I do it’s just under the same name UK Wildcrafts, but I’m not very active on it as I don’t like Facebook haha. But yes that’s a good idea I’ll start trying to post more things like that 😊

[@drfbrown101]

The “Tyson Fury” of the uk’s wild life 👏👏👏

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

😆

[@1minigrem]

Dandelions also known as piss a beds as they are a diuretic.

[@ramthian]

❤️❤️🙏

[@britaniawaves4060]

How far away from a roadside is safe to pick dandelions, I have many on my front lawn but have a busy road right in front of me, love your vids 👍

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks :). Difficult to say really, depends on how busy. I won’t pick anywhere near motorways and A roads, but otherwise a few meters back should be fine

[@FifiHiggs]

🙏🙏🙏

[@vieannieslifeinfrance.1864]

I like dandelion.

[@mandarinesoranges9439]

How far do you have to go from cultivating fields which use pesticides and from trails where people walk and also walk their dogs in order to be safe with the plants? Is it ok just going a little bit off the trail? How do you clean the plants you pick up?

[@thekarmafarmer608]

Hi there. Thanks for posting these videos. I was foraging various things today with my son and went to pick fern fronds when my son casually asked if all fern fronds were edible in the UK. I said yes but then had to retract as I`ve never actually thought about it before. I`ve eaten fronds on many occasions but am now suddenly nervous to take them. Can you help with this?

[@calmwaters2597]

Could you please list the ingredient that you used for this wonderful noodle soup. Thank you in advance

[@katkond]

is there many different types of dandelions? I have noticed several plants even in my garden that have different leaves (same type of leaf, but different widths, tooth amoint etc)

[@kilowhiskeyalpha6078]

Dent de lyon (Lion toothed).

[@Aetherfield]

Are the flower buds of garlic scapes also edible?

[@stevep8321]

What I struggle with for dandelion and other plants low to the ground is where to pick them where dogs haven’t been or by roads. I see some on verges higher up but they seem to like growing lower down. Any tips ? (Plenty in my garden though :) )

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Apart from my garden I’ll just pick dandelions from closer to the middle of large fields. There’s much less chance of a dog weeing on it then. It’s more around the edges of fields you need to be wary, and definitely not next to paths or in alleyways. Also fairly steep slopes is a good place if you can because dogs prefer to go on flat areas

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Also anything picked from ground level just give a decent wash just in case

[@Katie16682]

I heard that if you clean, roast and grind the roots of dandelion that it makes a good substitute for coffee grounds? I don't know how true this is but I'd like to try it some day...

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Yes I’ve not made it myself but I’ve tried someone else’s. It’s ok but quite bitter. And no caffeine! Haha. You can also make from the seeds of cleavers, same family as coffee and does contain caffeine

[@oshunblack6883]

Are you sure about the nit eating nettles when they flower. I eat them all the time and no problems. I was always told every part of tge plant is good for you. I blend it all up in a nice good smoothie

[@domytar5395]

How do you cook the dandelion leaves.?

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

They’re quite versatile, you can eat them raw or cooked. If cooking them I just usually stir fry them like cabbage

[@HolyFreakinDragonSlayer]

I love your videos, been a subscriber for over a year ☺ Do you have any pocket sized foraging books you would recommend.. something small that I could take in my rucksack and read while having lunch.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thank you very much 😁. The pocket version of Food for free by Richard Mabey is a handy little book

[@HolyFreakinDragonSlayer]

@@UKWILDCRAFTS thank you x

[@FatimaZeynep]

Which plant is this with wolfsmilk inside

[@samappleby1297]

You are the Tyson fury lookalike of foraging

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Haha 😁