Top 5 Tools for Wild Foraging Success
Morgan Rogue 08.31.23
At the time of writing this, it’s foraging season!
For us here in the far north in Alaska, we’re currently in green up and depending on what part of Alaska you live in, you’re seeing a variety of different wild edibles.
For us here in the interior, we’re already seeing dandelions, rose hips are bursting with greenery, fiddleheads are abundant and berries are right around the corner!
I’ve talked about wild foraging before but today I want to talk about the top 5 tools that I always have with me for a successful wild plant hunt.
Here are my top 5 wild foraging tools:
Tool #1 – a bag. Could be a grocery bag, backpack, really doesn’t matter. You need something to hold all of your goods in! Some people carry out buckets or bowls or pouches attached to their belt. Any of that will work, anything that can effectively hold the wild food.
Tool #2 – wild foraging book for my area. I’ve been foraging for wild edibles for a long time, but even I need some help with identification sometimes and when I spot something new, I want to flip through my book to see if it could be edible. It’s essential that you always have 100% positive identification before even touching a plant, as some plants can harm just by touch (poison ivy/oak, anyone?).
Tool #3 – scissors or multitool. There are many times we can only take a certain part of the edible and having a nice sharp knife or even some scissors or a multitool make the job a lot easier to quickly take just what you need. Having a multitool can be extra helpful because if you do happen to get stuck by a plant, you can use the pliers to help pry the thorn out. I even took a pair of kitchen tongs out when we foraged for prickly pear cactus because it was just easier at the time.
Tool #4 – gloves. Sometimes I deal with prickly plants and having some gloves really goes a long way to prevent injury, even if it’s ‘just a scrape’, I really just don’t want to deal with that. I don’t always use gloves, but they’re handy when I need them.
Tool #5 – situational awareness. This is a big one because while it’s not something you can hold, it’s still a tool we need to be practicing on the daily, especially while out foraging. I love foraging for blueberries. You know who else likes wild blueberries? Bears. It’s just smart to keep your head on a swivel, be situationally aware and always have a plan of avoidance and defense. Never get yourself into a situation that might put you or others in danger. Just be aware and safe.
BONUS – adorable little helpers. It’s fun to forage with others!
Foraging for wild edibles is one of my absolute favorite past-times, and with a little forethought, we can take home a huge bounty that everyone can enjoy in a variety of ways.
Stay safe out there and have fun foraging!
