A Beginner’s Guide to Foraging Wild Garlic
Now that we’re in March, it’s officially wild garlic season!
I’ve been so looking forward to this time of year, as it’s such a joy to pop over to Hook Norton woods & bring home handfuls of tasty wild garlic, which can be used within a huge range of recipes. This nutritious, tasty green leaf is only around for 6 weeks or so – so make the most of it! Read on for everything you need to know about foraging wild garlic, including where to look and key foraging tips.
Do not forage on private land
You can forage from hedgerows, along public footpaths, and within public woodland but not from people’s gardens or land without their permission! I’d also avoid picking wild garlic from the roadside due to the pollution from cars.
Never dig up the full plant
You may pick from the plants, but you cannot remove the whole thing. Also, only pick a little from each plant, and then move on to another to avoid damaging the plants.
Leave enough for others
Do not pick every leaf in sight – be sure to leave enough for other people and for the wildlife to enjoy.
Only pick for personal use
Here in the UK it is illegal to forage from public land and then sell what you have picked. Just pick enough to make some tasty recipes for yourself, and to share with friends & family.
Leave no trace
While foraging, be sure not to trample other plants or harm any habitats.
HOW TO FIND WILD GARLIC
Wild garlic is a bulbous perennial which smells and tastes strongly of garlic. Here in the UK, wild garlic is very easy to find. It first emerges during the month of March, and can be found carpeting shady woodland floors. So head to your nearest woodland, and look for carpets of bright green leaves. The leaves have a long thin shape, are very smooth and quite shiny. Depending how far you are into spring, wild garlic may or may not be in flower. The flowers are tiny and white, and are also edible.
If you are still unsure whether what you’ve stumbled across is wild garlic, the smell should be a giveaway; grab a leaf and give it a sniff. If it smells strongly of garlic, you can be pretty sure that you’ve identified the correct plant. Having said that, I’d always advise consulting a foreign expert if you aren’t sure, as it is possible to misidentify plants while foraging, which can be very dangerous, and even deadly.
If you’re based locally, and you want to foraging in Hook Norton woods, park on either Chapel Street or Tite Lane, then walk to the bottom of Tite Lane. Where Tite Lane meets Park Hill, you will see a pathway to the left. Follow the pathway slightly uphill and then across a field, and you’ll find yourself in Hook Norton woods. It’s a gorgeous spot for a walk, so be sure to leave time to have a wander through the enchanting woodland!
HOW TO FORAGE WILD GARLIC
Ok, so you’ve found a patch of wild garlic and understand the general rules of foraging. What next? Well, you can either use your hand, or a sharp tool such as secateurs for foraging wild garlic. Grab at the base of a leaf or two and tear the leaf off. Do not grab the entire clump of leaves, as then you run the risk of pulling up the entire plant. Choose the smaller, younger leaves as these are more tender.
Be sure to have a trug or bag with you to collect the wild garlic; it’s probably best not to put the leaves straight into your pockets, as trust me, the strong garlic smell will linger. Wild garlic flowers are also edible – you could grab a couple of those too to pickle and sprinkle on top of a pasta dish!
