I’m all for living in the moment (and I’ll preface this by saying, please don’t come for me after this statement!) but fall is just around the corner. It’s lurking in the cool evenings and dark mornings, in the yellow tinge that is adorning the leaves around us. There is a sweet spot for foraging in late summer/early fall before a hard frost hits, when flowers, berries and more can still be harvested. Here’s three plants to check out this season!
Wild rose (Rosa acicularis) is always on my list for autumnal harvesting. The rose hips, which can be used in a variety of culinary, medicinal and cosmetic purposes, are at their prime after a very light frost touches them. If consuming rose hips, it is important to note that the hairy seeds on the inside of the hips can cause digestive upset, so they should be removed before eating – they scrape out quite easily with a spoon.
Highbush cranberry (Viburnum edule) jelly always has a place in my pantry, and picking the berries has become a bit of a tradition in our house. The oh-so-distinct smell of autumn that I have loved as a little kid, actually comes from the highbush cranberry – who would’ve known that such a smelly berry would turn into a delicious jelly that pairs well with all sorts of wild game.
Juniper (Juniperus communis) is another native plant that compliments wild game very well. While it can be picked throughout the year, I find myself gravitating towards it in the fall, picking a handful here and there early during hunting season. Choose to harvest the darkest blue berries on the bush, as the lighter ones are not yet ripe.
As many of these plants can be found in both rural and suburban settings, care must be taken to avoid high-traffic areas, such as the sides of highways or areas that have been sprayed, as the plants may be contaminated. As always, investing in a good plant ID book is essential to being confident while out foraging, and don’t ingest anything if you are unsure of the identification.
