How to find edible forest berries

Alternative Education


How to find edible forest berries
Foraging for Edible Wild Berries The prospect of foraging for wild foods, especially berries, may get even the most dedicated homebody outdoors into the wild forest or feral areas surrounding surburbia. Nutritious and delicious edible wild berries are relatively easy to find. With a little knowledge and preparation, you can add a sense of discovery and a sweet treat to the refreshing outdoors experience. (Photo credit: clconroy)
Instructions
Step 1 Pre-Identify Clearly identify nutritious and delicious wild berries. Use a field guide with detailed illustrations or photographs to familiarize yourself with berry-producing plants. A zip guide such as eNature.com can provide a regionally-specific list of plants with edible berries. Study it. Step 2 Locate Stick with what you know. Look for berries that you clearly recognize. Avoid berries located near roads and weed-free gardens to avoid consuming harmful pesticides, herbicides, and other contaminants. Find berries low to the ground in full sun where they can most easily distribute their seeds to passing connoisseurs, particularly birds and bees. Watch for thorns. Step 3 Test for Safety Test every wild edible food for safety. Smell it. Rub it on your wrist. Wait. Chew for a minute. If it smells unpleasant, toss it. If it gives an itching or burning skin reaction, toss it. If it gives an itching or tingling sensation in the mouth, spit it. If it passes these tests, swallow and enjoy. Edible wild berries: Wilderness Survival, Bushcraft Have you ever wondered what are the chances that a certain berry is edible, well based on its color you can predict the chance it is edible: White Berries:10% Yellow Berries: 10% Red Berries 50% Blue Berries: 90% Black Berries: 90%.	Things Needed Small pruning shears or floral scissors Garden gloves Storage container Tips & Warnings Know your edibles. If possible, go with an expert. Dead berry bushes may indicate herbicide exposure. If in doubt, spit it out. Bears like berries, too. Make noise to let them know you're there. Where to Look Berries like full sun. Look for berry bushes at the edges of meadows, margins of waterways, and places where the ground has been disturbed to allow full sun and room for growth. How to freeze berries by Shelly Mcrae Berries, like many fruits and vegetables, have a high moisture content. Freezing berries may result in ice crystals forming within the berries themselves. When defrosted, the berries may be too soft o...More> Write

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Sara Mcgrath
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