Foraging Four Months: July to October

by Jen Abell

This time last year, my newsfeed was awash with Phenologists. Not that I knew that we were called Phenologists at the time. The Woodland Trust describes Phenology as ‘the study of seasonal changes in plants and animals from year to year, such as the flowering of plants, emergence of insects and migration of birds’. Well, with lockdown one well underway last July, we didn’t have a lot of choice but to observe what was happening under our noses did we? I couldn’t scroll without seeing 30 variations of garlic pesto, bottles clinking with champagne tinted elderflower cordial and dandelion coffee attempts with varying levels of success. Well done everyone! This year the consensus seems to be camping, wild swimming, pint porn now the bars are back open and… did I mention camping? Just because we can venture further doesn’t mean we should forget nature’s sweet seasonal treats. After the wettest May on record, April’s steady stream of frosts, and a solstice to put your jumper on for, it’s been a strange growing season. Thankfully, Mother Earth’s compensation for passing the longest day, and stepping one toe out of Summer is the berry burst. Here’s some of nature’s obvious offerings for the next four months in and around our city. Please refer to my February 2021 article for some fail sale foraging rules before you put your wellies on.

July

What? Blackberries.

Used for: Darned good eating! Raw, jam, pie, muffins (recommended), smoothies, cordial, summer pudding. It’s hard to overstate just how good blackberries are for the body and brain. They hold manganese which is important for brain function, potassium, magnesium, calcium, vitamins A, C, and B vitamins.

Where? Blackberries are common in Cardiff. You’ll find this sweet treat running parallel to most train lines, on Grangemoor, Cardiff Bay, the Llandaff part of Taff Trail, Ely trail. Foraging tip: You might find blackberries all the way to October/November so keep a food container on you when walking. I live by a railway line and find Cardiff’s bounty starts earlier than other parts of the UK, however.

What? Wimberries (also known as Bilberries). Purple to black fruit, similar shape to blueberries with a flat

indented tip. Used for: Pie, eating raw, tea, jam, ice cream, sorbet, muffin, wine. Wimberries have been linked to eye health, lowering blood sugar and have anti-inflammatory effects.

Where? Mountains and heaths in Wales. The closest spot I’ve known of to Cardiff is the Graig and well worth a trip. For a big day out, the Llangorse Mountain near Brecon also has a patch.

August

What? Elderberry Used for? Pies, jam, wine, tonic. These berries are packed with Vitamin C, an Autumn/Winter must have nutrient as well as plenty of other antioxidants. They’re a brilliant natural dye too, worth remembering for those winter crafting sessions, and before you put your favourite outfit on to pick them… Where? Anywhere you found your Spring flowers for cordial providing you left enough growth. Bute Park, Chapter, Taff trail, Penarth Coastal Path.

September

What? Chicken of the Woods (mushroom). Ordinarily, just the idea of mushroom picking is enough to make me throw my snips back in the drawer and drop my bucket. Thankfully, the only look alike for this specimen, the Velvet-top Fungus, is not toxic (although apparently disgusting) so foraging for Chicken of the Woods is a fairly safe way to experiment with mushroom picking. Ensure your finds are thoroughly cooked before eating. Used for? Risotto, sautéed in herb butter sauce, deep fried like actual chicken, in pasta dishes. Where? Wenallt, Plymouth Woods, Leckwith Woods. Foraging tip: Mushrooms deteriorate rapidly when picked. Only collect if you’re ready to cook immediately. Stick to Chicken of the Woods found on Oak and Chestnut trees. Collect the freshest new growth, and just take what you need. Use books when identifying potentially harmful plants like mushrooms as apps can make mistakes. Only eat specimens you’ve 100% positively identified. Start a foraging file on your smartphone with your own photographs of correct identifications. It’s a good idea to make a treasure trail on a map to mark where different foods grow. You’ll thank me next year when you’re starting the cycle all over again. What? Apples. You’re most likely to stumble across crab apples; sour and sharp. Used for? Wine, jelly, crumble, tart. I have seen some apple jam recipes, but it requires some contraption building- one for the carpenters out there! Where? Penarth Road, Cardiff Bay, Plymouth Woods. Foraging Tip: There is a wonderful map that has been put together by the people of Cardiff to locate our inner city orchards! Type ‘Orchard Cardiff Fruit Tree’ into google maps to find cherry, apple, pear, walnut, plum, pears and more. Hugest thanks to whoever’s brainchild this is, I salute you!

October

What? Hazelnut. Packed with Vitamin E, protein, fibre and good fat. No wonder the squirrels can’t get enough of them!

Used for? Roasting, hazelnut butter, eating raw, hazelnut milk, toppers for pies and cakes. Where? Around the Garth, Bute Park, Cathays Park and Pontcanna Fields. Mature woodlands around Cardiff.

Foraging tip: Bring green immature hazelnuts home to mature on the windowsill or in an airing cupboard. Don’t eat them until they turn brown. At the time of typing, the UK has agreed *that* trade deal in principle with Australia, the furthest trading opportunity on our planet. Plans have just been unveiled for a 300k regression to vehicular access in Cardiff’s city centre. And a photo has popped up in my newsfeed of yet another disappearing cycle lane for Cardiff’s growing collection. It’s easy to lean towards despondency when policy makers’ decisions oppose all logic for clean air and climate positive, high quality food. Foraging for your own produce and shopping locally in Cardiff’s wonderful arcades, markets and cafes is a do it yourself antidote to short sighted decisions being made on our behalf, without us in mind. Happily, unlike this time last year, we’re able to enjoy this healthy treasure hunt with friends and family too. Let’s hope they bring their own tips and secret spots as well as their baskets. I’d love to hear your Autumn foraging tips and experiences in Cardiff. Get in touch on @diffmustbetheplace on instagram. Happy soil searching!

Jen Abell

@ffotojenic