How to forage safely and responsibly<\/h4>\n
Whether you\u2019re a seasoned forager or a complete newcomer, there are some golden rules you need to be aware of before you begin. Check out our beginner\u2019s foraging guide to learn how to forage safely and responsibly throughout the year.<\/p>\n
Beginner\u2019s Guide to Foraging, with monthly guide to what\u2019s in season<\/a><\/h4>\nGetty<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p><\/div>
![\""Handful\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2018\/08\/Handful-of-blackberries-8a532a0.jpg?quality=45&resize=556,556"\" "\\"\"Handful-of-blackberries\"\\"\/")
<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>Best berries to forage for in September<\/h2>\nBlackberries<\/h3>\n
This prickly shrub grows in woods, hedges and heaths. It is usually found in a tangled straggly clump, with prickly, toothed leaves that turn reddish green in the autumn. The berries should be a deep purple-black when picked.<\/p>\n
- We\u2019ve rounded up our favourite blackberry recipes in our handy blackberry guide.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Bramble (Rubus fruticosus) cultivar, ripening berries\/Credit: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n More related content:<\/p>\n
- Blackberry vinegar<\/a><\/li>\n
- Easy apple and blackberry crumble<\/a><\/li>\n
- Blackberry ice cream<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div>
![\""Blackberry\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2019\/07\/1-Blackberry-and-apple-crumble-credit-imgwervanille-eb7ab9a.jpg?quality=45&resize=556,556"\" "\\"\"Blackberry\\"\/")
<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>Sloes<\/h3>\n
The fruit of the Blackthorn tree, sloes are abundant in the wild in the UK. They are notoriously bitter when eaten straight from the branch, and make a fun highlight to family walks to see who can chew for the longest without making a face. The berries should be picked when ripe: a deep purple colour and easy to squash. A promising sign is seeing fallen sloes around the tree.<\/p>\n
Sloe gin is a staple among homemade Christmas presents. If picking for this reason, you should traditionally wait until after the first frost so that the frost splits the skins and you don\u2019t have to bother pricking them. But if you\u2019d rather get ahead, pick them in autumn and freeze the berries for the same effect.<\/p>\n
- Try our recipe for perfect sloe gin<\/a><\/li>\n
- Blackthorn guide: how to identify, folklore and uses<\/a><\/li>\n
- Best foraging courses in the UK<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Blackthorn or Sloe, Prunus spinosa.\/Credit: Sandra Standbridge\/Getty Images.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nHawthorn berries<\/h3>\n
This abundant shrub can be found in woodland, hedges, scrubland, on heaths and downs. Its leaves are a glossy green, deeply lobed and found on spiny branches. The round red berries (haws) grow in small bunches and have a gentle, apple-like taste.<\/p>\n
They can be used to make wine or a sort of candy called hawthorn leather. This involves simmering the haws in a little water until soft and straining off the pips. You then add sugar as you would to make a jam but keep reducing the liquid until it thickens. When cool, it resembles a strip of candy.<\/p>\n
![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Hawthorn berries, also known as haws\/Getty Images Stephen Power<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nRosehips<\/h3>\n
Used as a replacement for citrus fruits during the Second World War, they where widely collected and made into syrup for flavouring foods. They can be found in hedgerows, rough grass and scrub. It grows up to 3m (10ft) high. The leaves grow in pairs of toothed leaflets, the flowers are pink or white, and the fruit is orange-red and oblong shaped. Watch out for thorns and be sure to carefully remove the inner seeds, still known in primary schools across the land as \u2018itching powder\u2019.<\/p>\n
- Try making rosehip syrup with the recipe on the BBC Wildlife Magazine<\/em> website.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Ripe rosehips\/Getty Images, Steve Austin<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nElderberries<\/h3>\n
Widespread and easily found in woodland and hedgerows. The bark is corky, and the green slightly-toothed leaves grow in groups of five. These small, dark red-black berries grow in clusters and can be added to sweet pies, crumbles or jams.<\/p>\n
- Elderflower guide: where to find it, how to identify and recipe ideas<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Elderberries can be added to crumbles, jams, drinks or pies\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nRowan berries<\/h3>\n
Raw rowan berries are very tart and contain parasorbic acid, which is toxic, but when cooked it becomes sorbic acid, which is safe. Rowan berries can be used\u00a0to make Rowan wine.<\/p>\n
- Try out this spiced crab-apple and rowanberry leather recipe<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\nRaspberries<\/h3>\n
An easily identified plant and less prickly to handle than its bramble cousin. Raspberries are coming to an end in September, but you should still be able to get a harvest or two, especially from autumn fruiting garden escapees. It is only very slightly spiny with toothed oval shaped leaves, with a white underside. These rich red berries are formed from drupelets.<\/p>\n
![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Easy to pick and less spiky than blackberries \u2013 add to jams, pies or crumbles\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nWild strawberries<\/h3>\n
Although small and hard to find, these berries are well worth the search. They are bursting with flavour and best eaten straight from the plant. They can be found on grassy banks and in open woodland, low on the ground. The leaves are grouped in threes and are toothed and shiny.<\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div>
<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>Best berries to forage for in September<\/h2>\nBlackberries<\/h3>\n
This prickly shrub grows in woods, hedges and heaths. It is usually found in a tangled straggly clump, with prickly, toothed leaves that turn reddish green in the autumn. The berries should be a deep purple-black when picked.<\/p>\n
- We\u2019ve rounded up our favourite blackberry recipes in our handy blackberry guide.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Bramble (Rubus fruticosus) cultivar, ripening berries\/Credit: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n
More related content:<\/p>\n
- Blackberry vinegar<\/a><\/li>\n
- Easy apple and blackberry crumble<\/a><\/li>\n
- Blackberry ice cream<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div>
<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>Sloes<\/h3>\n
The fruit of the Blackthorn tree, sloes are abundant in the wild in the UK. They are notoriously bitter when eaten straight from the branch, and make a fun highlight to family walks to see who can chew for the longest without making a face. The berries should be picked when ripe: a deep purple colour and easy to squash. A promising sign is seeing fallen sloes around the tree.<\/p>\n
Sloe gin is a staple among homemade Christmas presents. If picking for this reason, you should traditionally wait until after the first frost so that the frost splits the skins and you don\u2019t have to bother pricking them. But if you\u2019d rather get ahead, pick them in autumn and freeze the berries for the same effect.<\/p>\n
- Try our recipe for perfect sloe gin<\/a><\/li>\n
- Blackthorn guide: how to identify, folklore and uses<\/a><\/li>\n
- Best foraging courses in the UK<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Blackthorn or Sloe, Prunus spinosa.\/Credit: Sandra Standbridge\/Getty Images.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n Hawthorn berries<\/h3>\n
This abundant shrub can be found in woodland, hedges, scrubland, on heaths and downs. Its leaves are a glossy green, deeply lobed and found on spiny branches. The round red berries (haws) grow in small bunches and have a gentle, apple-like taste.<\/p>\n
They can be used to make wine or a sort of candy called hawthorn leather. This involves simmering the haws in a little water until soft and straining off the pips. You then add sugar as you would to make a jam but keep reducing the liquid until it thickens. When cool, it resembles a strip of candy.<\/p>\n
![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Hawthorn berries, also known as haws\/Getty Images Stephen Power<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n Rosehips<\/h3>\n
Used as a replacement for citrus fruits during the Second World War, they where widely collected and made into syrup for flavouring foods. They can be found in hedgerows, rough grass and scrub. It grows up to 3m (10ft) high. The leaves grow in pairs of toothed leaflets, the flowers are pink or white, and the fruit is orange-red and oblong shaped. Watch out for thorns and be sure to carefully remove the inner seeds, still known in primary schools across the land as \u2018itching powder\u2019.<\/p>\n
- Try making rosehip syrup with the recipe on the BBC Wildlife Magazine<\/em> website.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Ripe rosehips\/Getty Images, Steve Austin<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n Elderberries<\/h3>\n
Widespread and easily found in woodland and hedgerows. The bark is corky, and the green slightly-toothed leaves grow in groups of five. These small, dark red-black berries grow in clusters and can be added to sweet pies, crumbles or jams.<\/p>\n
- Elderflower guide: where to find it, how to identify and recipe ideas<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Elderberries can be added to crumbles, jams, drinks or pies\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n Rowan berries<\/h3>\n
Raw rowan berries are very tart and contain parasorbic acid, which is toxic, but when cooked it becomes sorbic acid, which is safe. Rowan berries can be used\u00a0to make Rowan wine.<\/p>\n
- Try out this spiced crab-apple and rowanberry leather recipe<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\nRaspberries<\/h3>\n
An easily identified plant and less prickly to handle than its bramble cousin. Raspberries are coming to an end in September, but you should still be able to get a harvest or two, especially from autumn fruiting garden escapees. It is only very slightly spiny with toothed oval shaped leaves, with a white underside. These rich red berries are formed from drupelets.<\/p>\n
![\"""\"]( "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Easy to pick and less spiky than blackberries \u2013 add to jams, pies or crumbles\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n Wild strawberries<\/h3>\n
Although small and hard to find, these berries are well worth the search. They are bursting with flavour and best eaten straight from the plant. They can be found on grassy banks and in open woodland, low on the ground. The leaves are grouped in threes and are toothed and shiny.<\/p>\n
- Try out this spiced crab-apple and rowanberry leather recipe<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>
- Elderflower guide: where to find it, how to identify and recipe ideas<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
- Blackthorn guide: how to identify, folklore and uses<\/a><\/li>\n
- Easy apple and blackberry crumble<\/a><\/li>\n
- Blackberry vinegar<\/a><\/li>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2018\/09\/GettyImages-523658022-28229-3d8fd0b.jpg?quality=90&resize=551%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2020\/06\/sloes-55cf69d.jpg?quality=90&resize=619%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
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