Definitley May

 

Oilseed Rape

May seems to have brought us four seasons in as many days, including a traditionally cold, wet Bank Holiday, but things are warming up. Bright blocks of yellow oilseed rape fields colour the horizon, dandelions daisies and buttercups add charm to lawns and meadows.

Buttercups and a Burdock

Hawthorn is in blossom; the hedgerows are full of campions and other wildflowers. This floral profusion brings with it the insects, including everyone’s seasonal favourite, the vivid butterflies. Ransoms and Wild Garlick are still available, adding flavour to your cooking, along with Alexanders and other umbellifers belonging to the Apiaceae family.

Hawthorn Blossom

If you are interested in common umbellifers, beware of the deadly poisonous and terribly common, Hemlock and Hemlock Water-Dropwort – AKA Dead Man's Fingers or Fools Parsley due to the similarity of the leaves. If you are new to foraging, spend time (allow four seasons) identifying the different stalks, leaves and flowers, before eating anything you are unsure about.

Butterfly

We should not be surprised that nature has many toxins, and you should only ever eat things that you are sure about. This is one reason I focused solely on fruit and nuts when initially foraging with my son and daughter, when they were young. They were, however, soon able to spot Elderflowers, from a distance.

Elderflower (background) and Hemlock Water Dropwort (foreground)

Elder is truly the gift that keeps on giving. It is fascinating for many reasons but my main interest in May, is the blousy flowers and sweet citrus aroma. I make Elderflower Champagne every year, while my daughter always make Elderflower cordial. These drinks are simple to make, delightful to drink and last throughout the Summer months as a thirst-quenching sunshine staple. Later in the season I harvest Elderberries and make Port wine, to last throughout the Winter months.

Elderflowers

Time flies when you’re having fun, and it seems unlikely that, in the next month, we will be  celebrating Midsummer, while eating delicious ripe, black Cherries, plucked from trees, but I assure you, we will.

Celebrating Midsummer 2025

Finally, I note that NASA has spent billions and billions of dollars, to send a rocket around the far side of the moon, but it was a bit too dark to see anything. A simpler, more affordable way to be the first human to witness something unique, is to bite into a freshly picked, zesty apple (or even one bought in a supermarket). It constantly surprises me; how few people have not eaten fresh fruit straight off a tree. Go now! Do it yourself, and celebrate the miracle that is nature.

Campions and Ransoms

Elder Flower & Other Forage

Summer finally seems to have arrived. The hedgerows are heady with the smell of Elderflower and we have been busy bottling our cordial and champagne.

Elder Flower

We also collected a load for the Unity Brewing Co, to flavour their, Été  Summer Saison range. 

Elder Flower

This year, I have also been investigating some other, non fruit, forage. Expanding my knowledge base has been a good thing to work on during the Spring.

Jack by the Hedge 

Jack by the Hedge is one of my favourite plants to nibble on while out walking. Its leaves have a lovely peppery taste, perfect for pepping up a salad, and is actually related to mustard. When they ripen, the seeds explode out of the pods on touching.

Jack by the Hedge 

I have also identified Horseradish in the wild, which will add an exciting new dimension to our cooking and diet. The root of this plant is spicy enough to make your eyes water, as well as your mouth.

Leaves of Horseradish

Last year a friend wanted to obtain Angelica root, to help flavour some gin. Understanding this plant meant that I needed to investigate the Umbelliferous, carrot family (Apiaceae) further. 

Alexanders and Cow Parsley

This is very common hedgerow group is made up of many similar but subtly different plants. Alexanders, Ground Elder, Hog Weed and Cow Parsley can all add tasty dietary variations. 

Water Hemlock Dropwort

However, picking and consuming them, at all, is complicated by surprisingly common and lethally toxic Hemlock varieties. For this reason, it is best to learn to identify these plants by their various traits over a whole cycle of seasons, before picking them (using at least three id points), or eating any at all. The main thing that you understand by doing this, is how little you actually know. I was genuinely astonished at how common Hemlock was.