Now Forage

Almond: The green outer hull splits and pulls back, revealing the hard shell. Harvest when at least 75% of hulls have split. Spread in sun to dry for 1–2 weeks, turning daily, until kernels rattle inside. Eat immediately or store in shells.

Apple: Background colour changes from green to yellow or cream (variety determines final colour). Seeds inside should be brown. Flesh yields slightly to thumb pressure. A ripe apple releases with a gentle upward twist — no pulling. Check the ground for natural drops.

Apricot: Golden-orange colour all over; red blush is fine but green means unripe. Gives slightly under thumb pressure and separates cleanly from the pit. Sweet, floral aroma. Short window — harvest daily once they start colouring.

Blueberry: Deep blue-purple with a silvery bloom; stem scar (not stem) at the top. Taste is the best test — a truly ripe blueberry is sweet and has no pink flesh inside. Let the cluster go fully blue before picking the whole thing.

Feijoa: Grey-green skin stays the same colour regardless of ripeness — rely on feel and drop. Ripe when it falls naturally from the tree or gives to gentle squeeze. Interior jelly turns clear from white. Intensely aromatic, pineapple-guava flavour.

Gooseberry: Unripe: small, hard, very tart (good for cooking). Ripe: translucent, slightly soft, and sweet — variety colour is red, yellow, or green. Ripe gooseberries come off the stalk easily and have a sweet aroma.

Peach: Background skin colour shifts from green to yellow; red blush is variety-dependent and not a reliable indicator. Fruit yields to gentle pressure near the stem end. Fragrant aroma at the base. Harvest when it detaches with a slight twist — no tugging needed.

Plum: Colour fully develops (purple, red, or yellow by variety) and a waxy bloom appears on the skin. Softens slightly at the tip. Taste-test for sweetness — European plums are better slightly soft; Japanese types can be harvested firmer.

Raspberry: Deep red (or gold/yellow for golden varieties) and slides off the receptacle — the hollow centre is the tell. Does not pull: a ripe raspberry separates at a touch. Extremely fragile; use within hours of picking.