As spring rolls into summer, the foraging opportunities are endless. Here are five plants that you can find just about anywhere and that you can forage for in early summer.
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Rose Petals
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Wild rose (Rosa acicularis) start blooming around the same time that wild strawberries ripen. This is one of those plants that is found just about anywhere you look – in your backyard, in forests or in disturbed soils such as old roads or former logging blocks. There are endless uses for rose petals, such as dried for teas, infused for drinks, made into jam or jelly or in homemade body care products.
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Fireweed
Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) is found in abundance throughout a variety of landscapes. It is a versatile plant, the majority of which can be utilized. This time of year is in between the ideal time for the shoots (harvested during the spring) and the flowers (harvested during later summer), but the leaves can be picked. The leaves can be eaten raw, fried or dried for tea.
Wild Strawberries
Wild strawberries (Fragaria virginiana) are one of early summer’s greatest gifts to the forager. If you can muster the patience required to pick these petite, delicate berries, the reward is great. Delicious for a small batch of jam or enjoy a bowl with a bit of cream and sugar sprinkled overtop.
Wild strawberries can be found just about anywhere – old logging blocks, in lawns, clearings and more.
Horsetail
Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) is another plant that can be found just about anywhere, as long as the ground is moist. It is a staple in my herbal pantry, where I use it for a variety of cosmetic purposes as it is rich in silica.
Birch Leaves
Early summer is the perfect season to gather birch (Betulla papyrifera) leaves. Paper birch is found throughout northern British Columbia. Herbal concoctions can be created to help soothe dry and irritated skin.
