Spring Has Sprung- It’s Time to Forage!!

I have been so busy up sizing my production that I almost missed my favorite time of year. Luckily I have my mushroom enthusiast groups to keep me on track. First I started off as an avid hiker. Then a variety of extraordinary mushrooms presented themselves. My discovery of all things mycology has since permeated into my entire existence and made our world so much more fun. Hiking is now an adventure into a game of hike and seek with nature. My kids love playing this game for hours. Luckily they are at the best height for mushroom hunting!

There are many other things that are delicious for spring foraging. Most novel spring treasures are only found once a year. Ramps are wilds leeks that I use to make into Ramp butter so it can be enjoyed on toast all year. When foraging ramps sustainably it’s best to just harvest only one of the 3 leaves so the patch can return for years ahead. It’s more time consuming but well worth the effort. Japanese Knotweed (also very invasive so use of this is environmentally helpful) can be sweetened and used like Rhubarb. Only the young shoots can be used during this time of year. Garlic Mustard plants (also invasive) are great in frittatas or a spunky addition to any savory dish.

The woods are full of birds busy with nest building and eating all the bounty of bugs on the forest floor. Small delicate purple violets, blue bells, and daffodils make trails look like a fiesta. It’s truly a celebration of life. It’s rejuvenated my soul to see nature heal itself with every rainfall. All of the animal residents of the forest are so joyful in their busy preparations. They literally -whistle while they work.

After what felt like a long winter full of harsh experiences, it is spring that nourishes and creates new growth.