The Grounded Orchardist

I used to forage a lot and in recent years I forgot about it due to one thing or another. I was watching Marcus Wareings Tales from a kitchen garden and I was completely inspired again. Sarah Watson (Wildfeast.co.uk) was on his show and it reminded me of wonderful things I used to forage and make. Lovely days outside thinking about nothing else but the task at hand. Foraging the hedgerows was a big part of growing up. Finding wild plums, crab apples, cherry plums, wild strawberries and of course…Blackberries, Elderberries and Elderflower. Homemade Elderflower cordial has been in my life almost forever and I did this with my children and still do it now.

So I’ve signed myself up to a foraging course. It’s very broad ranging from weeds to the seashore, mushrooms to fruit. In time I’ll sign up to some workshops and get some hands on experience with experts but this will be a good addition to knowledge I’ve already gained and much more to come.

Career wise the fruit aspect obviously is of use and I want to learn more about non-commercial growing and more obscure fruit found along our hedgerows. Hobby wise it’s a way of getting out and about again. Something I’ve found quite difficult since 2 years of Covid restrictions and being made redundant which is very unlike me. I used to go gallivanting up mountains, through valleys, into woods at any cost.

I’m a fan of making my own liqueurs. The best one I ever made was mixed fruit all foraged from hedgerows steeped in Vodka. Crab apple liqueur was another good one.

Anyway, I’m very excited about this course and I’m going to enjoy learning more, getting out and about again and enjoying some nice homemade produce along the way!