Wildcrafting 101
Some people call it wildcrafting, some call it foraging. I like how wildcrafting sounds, so I’ll probably use that term more.
If there was a Zombie Apocalypse, right now could you survive? In all honesty, I am not much of a fan of Zombies. However, in my opinion (and this is my opinion, so take it as it is), I worry about our future. I believe there are a lot of shady things happening with our politics and big corporations. What if it all collapses tomorrow? How are you going to survive? I don’t know if I believe in climate change, however, I know we are treating our planet like crap, when is she going to say enough is enough and how is she going to show it? Are you prepared for a natural disaster? Can you live off the land if you needed to? Could you provide yourself with food and medicine?
I also believe that our earth gave us what we need to survive. Where I live, 4 years ago there were massive fires that destroyed so much. Then there was Covid. Then last year we had another massive fire. Right now I am finding an abundance of plants that are good for the respiratory system in my area.
When I first started learning about herbs, I was so surprised that there are so many plants in people’s backyards that they treat as pesky weeds, and they are packed with nutrients and medicinal properties.
Here are some basics when it comes to wildcrafting:
The most important thing, that I cannot stress enough, is to be 100% on the plant Identification that you are harvesting. One of my all-time favorite plants is Yarrow. Yarrow looks similar to Queen’s Ann Lace and Hemlock. Hemlock is poisonous. Please don’t poison yourself.
Make sure that what you are harvesting hasn’t been sprayed with pesticides. I concentrate on areas I know without a doubt haven’t been sprayed. Again, please don’t poison yourself.
Don’t harvest on private properties unless you have permission. I know this is hard, I have some neighbors that have some really awesome plants that I would love to harvest, but it belongs to them.
Only take what you need. Please don’t overharvest. Leave some for other people, bees, other insects, and animals. When wildcrafting, I treat the wild like I am the guest. While I am cutting flowers, if a bee lands on the flower I am about to cut, I go to another flower.
Learn what Zone you are in, so you can start learning the plants in your area.
Purchase foraging books for your area.
Bring wildcrafting tools. You will need bags or a basket to put what you harvested in. Clippers or a knife and a small shovel. You will need gloves because some things are thorny. I recommend either Disposable gloves or wipes (or both), because some things can get really sticky.
Be careful and know your surroundings. The other day I was harvesting and found a very unfriendly snake. He probably would have bitten me if I wasn’t paying attention.
Have fun learning! It really is fun and rewarding, you just have to be careful.
