Now Forage

Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus): Deep black and pulls free with zero resistance. Juicy and sweet; no red remaining at the core. Harvest in the morning when cool.

Blackthorn: Sloe berries: small, round, blue-black with a heavy bloom. Intensely astringent raw — traditionally harvested after the first frost, which breaks down tannins. Best used for sloe gin or jelly. Spiny branches — wear gloves when harvesting.

Common hawthorn: Bright to dark red haws. Harvest when fully red and slightly soft. Young leaves (May) and flowers are also edible. Haws best for jelly; one large seed per berry.

Crabapple: Small apples ripen from green to red, yellow, or orange by variety. Very tart raw but excellent for jelly and cider. Ripe when the colour is fully developed and the fruit lifts off with a gentle twist.

Dog rose: Oval, bright red to orange-red hips. Ripe when uniformly red and slightly soft. Excellent for rosehip syrup. Always remove the irritating inner seeds.