What Can You Forage in Southern Ontario Canada? Part 1

Intro

Let me just start by saying that I am in no way an expert on foraging. I have foraged on and off throughout my life (apples, cherries, berries, some common mushrooms, etc. both here in Ontario Canada, and in BC), but more so within the last four years. I am also a fan of regrowing foods (that article is on the horizon). This video and article are just to inspire you to become aware of local options, to research more into what is available in your local area, and what vitamins and nutrients are in each item. 

In a perfect world, I feel that developers would transplant animals and edible plants that will be displaced, before they begin their plans to build upon nature’s home. Food should not be a monopoly; wild foods are especially appreciated by those who practice conservation (they do not hoard it all for themselves).

I was saddened to see a little garden demolished for a future parkette for a building that had yet to be completed. On my way to a former job, I would pass by and watch the progress of a little garden where one woman had toiled daily. That land had been sitting wild and idle for many years; it would not have been a great hardship for the developers to wait until harvest. I know this, because after they demolished her little garden, nothing was done on that property for a while after that. It seemed like it may have been out of spite. I was also saddened by the rabbits and other animals that were killed by cars, quite possibly because that same nearby development was their former home. They had relocated themselves in small bushes on the premise of outer a plaza that had a few restaurants for their new food source.

Safety First

For your own reference (not necessarily for public posting), I would take clear photos of different angles of the item (even the underside of mushrooms, for example), and the area (if it’s near a waste facility, it might not be beneficial for you to consume it), the bark and leaves of the tree (berries, other fruit, etc.), for better identification. Also, keep in mind that there are some edible wilds that should not be eaten daily, nor in excess (well, nothing should really be eaten in excess). And while some have no reactions to wild edibles, as with other foods, there are some people who have allergic reactions to them.

Travel with a companion, if you can. Let someone know that you will be foraging, ahead of time. Carry notes with you and include the date and what you are hoping to find, as well as the general that you have found. And definitely of what you are about to eat.

As they say, ‘If you don’t know it, don’t eat it.’

Before you eat the foods that you find outside, I would recommend using 3 or more resources (online ID apps, detailed foraging books - not black & white though (those are not as helpful), to identify exactly what that item is. And with berries and mushrooms, I would use as many resources that I can find. And with mushrooms, if you don’t know 100%, I would seek out the help of experts.

For your own reference (not necessarily for public posting), I would take clear photos (with location tags), of different angles of the item (even the underside of mushrooms, for example), and the area (if it’s near a waste facility, it might not be beneficial for you to consume it), the bark and leaves of the tree (berries, other fruit, etc.), for better identification.

Emergency Reference: besides 911

Poison Control, Ontario, Canada:

Toll-free

1-800-268-9017

Toronto

416-813-5900

https://www.ontariopoisoncentre.ca/common-poisons/plants/

https://www.ontariopoisoncentre.ca/education-news/news-archive/2020/mushroom-foraging-alert/

Some Foraging Books:

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0772658463/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=330641&creativeASIN=0772658463&linkCode=as2&tag=northebushcr-20

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1551055724/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=330641&creativeASIN=1551055724&linkCode=as2&tag=northebushcr-20

Online Foraging Guides:

https://onnaturemagazine.com/northern-forest-foraging-guide-2.html

They also have a downloadable pdf:

https://ontarionature.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Ontario_Nature_Forest_Foraging_Guide_official.pdf

Recipes

I am always searching for vegetarian recipes, and even vegan recipes, so I have included more links in each foraged item (that you can even remake to suit to your own menu).

Here’s one that I found today:

https://veganonboard.com/recipes/vegan-foraging-recipes/

Seasons in Ontario, Canada

https://northernbushcraft.com/guide.php?ctgy=edible_plants&region=on

Planting Calendar for your area:

https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar

Now, On To Foraging.

What Can You Forage in Southern Ontario Canada?
Part 1

VIDEO LINK HERE.

We begin in early Spring…

Fiddleheads:

Foraging Fiddleheads: late April - June

Pick the tightly wound young green balls, not far from the ground. Some people get sick and have to cook them. I enjoyed these both raw and cooked.

https://www.ontariowoodlot.com/publications-and-links/featured-articles-news/harvesting-fiddleheads-on-woodlots

Growing:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/ostrich-fern/growing-ostrich-ferns.htm

Recipes:

I just had a few raw (although they do recommend cooking it). I then cooked it with butter, lemon juice, salt & pepper. Then I added Qi’a (chia, buckwheat, & hemp cereal) when it was done.

Other recipes:

https://homemadeandyummy.com/roasted-fiddlehead-ferns/

https://portandfin.com/lemon-fiddlehead-crostinis/

Asparagus: 

Foraging Asparagus: Feb, March - June

Cut off a fresh stalk (as with alot of foraging, don't dig up the roots). You can tell when it's fresh, as oppose to when the stalk turns woody. Alot of these greens are good raw or cooked with butter (or replacement), lemon juice, salt & pepper. Eggs Benedict anyone?

https://www.asparagus-lover.com/wild-asparagus-locations.html

https://honest-food.net/foraging-finding-wild-asparagus/

Growing:

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/info_asparagus.htm

Recipes:

https://wallflowerkitchen.com/balsamic-roasted-new-potatoes-asparagus/

https://thevegan8.com/roasted-asparagus-with-lemon-ginger-sauce/

It’s also good just sautéed in butter, with lemon, salt and pepper.

Beware of Giant Hogweed:

Beware of Giant Hogweed!  (late Spring - early Summer)

https://www.ontario.ca/page/giant-hogweed

https://www.invasivespeciescentre.ca/invasive-species/meet-the-species/invasive-plants/giant-hogweed/

Beware of Poison Ivy:

Just an FYI. I will be on the hunt for footage this upcoming Spring.

Info:

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/99-015.htm

 

Beware of Stinging Nettle:

Beware of Stinging Nettle. Edible but be careful! (early Spring)

Info:

https://cwf-fcf.org/en/explore/gardening-for-wildlife/plants/edibles/edible-wild-and-not-so-wild-plants/stinging-nettles.html

Recipes:

https://www.thebittenword.com/thebittenword/2011/04/spring-lasagna-with-asparagus-peas-and-stinging-nettles.html

https://www.lifeslittlesweets.com/sauteed-stinging-nettles/

https://www.wolfcollege.com/how-to-make-stinging-nettle-tea/

Wild Garlic:

Foraging Garlic: July (for the buds or scapes), and/or leave some to develop into seed heads. If you haven't tried garlic scapes, you, my friend, are missing out on great taste. When you let some grow out, the little seeds on top (seedhead) can be eaten and/or scattered. Come Autumn, you can dig up the bulbs.

https://www.wildfoods.ca/blogs/main/canadian-wild-garlic

Growing:

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/09-011w.htm#:~:text=In%20Ontario%2C%20garlic%20is%20grown,to%20plant%20in%20the%20spring.

https://www.garlicgrowersofontario.com/how-to-grow-garlic

Info:

https://www.farmersalmanac.com/what-the-heck-are-garlic-scapes-12195

Recipes:

https://www.seriouseats.com/the-crisper-whisperer-what-to-do-with-garlic-scapes-recipe

https://weekendatthecottage.com/grilled-garlic-scapes/

https://life-and-lemons.com/easy-vegan-wild-garlic-pesto/

Wild Onions:

Onions: Early Spring

Foraging:

https://thegoodliferevival.com/blog/edible-wild-onions-garlic

Growing:

https://gardenerspath.com/plants/vegetables/grow-bunching-onions/

Recipes:

https://www.rabbitandwolves.com/vegan-spring-onion-soup/

https://www.rabbitandwolves.com/vegan-french-onion-chowder/

https://www.wildflower.org/magazine/native-plants/taste-place-vegan-wild-onion-tuber-stews

https://food52.com/recipes/34687-garlicky-creamed-wild-onions

Dandelions:

Dandelions: May to August

Foraging:

Hey! They have foraging items that are on my bucket list:

https://ontarioculinary.com/10-things-to-forage-in-ontario-an-edible-timeline/

http://ontariowildflowers.com/main/species.php?id=418

Recipes:

https://holycowvegan.net/one-pot-farfalle-with-dandelion-greens/

https://www.runningtothekitchen.com/dandelion-greens-beans-skillet/

https://veganonboard.com/vegan-dandelion-honey/

Foraging, Info & Recipes:

https://moonandspoonandyum.com/dandelion-recipes/

Mint:

Mint (various types. I foraged peppermint): Summer at bloom. Minty fresh breath! Freshly minted.

Foraging:

https://fiestafarms.ca/12126/garden/time-to-harvest-your-mint

Growing:

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/CropOp/en/herbs/culinary/mint.html

Recipes:

https://www.loveandlemons.com/matcha-mint-iced-tea/

https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/mint-tea-chai/

https://www.olivemagazine.com/guides/how-to/mint-recipe-how-to-chop-fresh-mint/

Lemon Balm:

Lemon Balm: July and on

Looks like mint, but smells like lemon.

Info: https://www.ediblewildfood.com/blog/2019/08/lemon-balm-grows-wild/

Extra: https://www.growforagecookferment.com/grow-lemon-balm/

https://gardentherapy.ca/lemon-balm/

Growing:

https://www.growveg.com/plants/us-and-canada/how-to-grow-lemon-balm/

https://www.almanac.com/content/growing-guide-herbs

https://www.westcoastseeds.com/blogs/how-to-grow/grow-lemon-balm

Recipes:

https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/simple-no-churn-lemon-balm-ice-cream/

http://theherbeevore.com/lemon-balm-pesto-recipe-vegan-gluten-free/

https://www.mediterraneanliving.com/recipe-items/rustic-lemon-balm-pesto/

https://www.botanyculture.com/lemon-balm-kale-pesto-with-preserved-lemon/

Chives:

Chives: May & June

Pretty purple flowers on top; Spring fresh, with a zing!

Forage: 

http://ontariowildflowers.com/main/species.php?id=365

https://cwf-fcf.org/en/explore/gardening-for-wildlife/plants/edibles/herbs/chives-1.htmlGrow: 

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/CropOp/en/herbs/culinary/chive.html

Recipes:

https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/potato-chive-soup/

https://www.delishknowledge.com/lemon-pan-fried-potatoes-with-chive-pesto/

https://www.aheadofthyme.com/egg-and-chive-vegetarian-dumplings/

https://wonderfullymadeanddearlyloved.com/roasted-garlic-chive-dip/

Garlic Chives:

Garlic Chives: Early Spring

I like these and shallots better than green onions.

https://www.gardenfundamentals.com/chives-garlic-chives-onion-chives-garlic-scapes-which-one-do-you-have/

https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-are-garlic-chives-695295

https://www.yummly.com/recipes/garlic-chives-vegetarian

Linden:

Linden: May & July

Try some of the moist buds (before they go hard); they taste like buttery oatmeal. The leaves can be picked for tea. After the linden tree starts to bloom, it will emit a wonderful smell. You can eat the blossoms before they dry out (they are sweet).

Foraging:

https://practicalselfreliance.com/foraging-for-linden/

https://eattheplanet.org/linden-tree-edible-leaves-flowers/

Recipes:

https://shinelittlehouse.com/homemade-apple-cinnamon-linden-tea/

https://app.ckbk.com/recipe/mypa05840c05s001ss004r002/lavender-and-linden-herbal-tea

Yes, lavender is another thing that you can (and I have) forage(d) here, (but I need to get better footage in 2022). Also, rosehips.

Red & White Clover:

Clover - White & Red

Try the sweet nectar of one of these flowers, by pulling the petals and touching the inner tips to your tongue. Clover is great for hay and honeybees.

 

https://northernbushcraft.com/topic.php?name=clover&region=on&ctgy=edible_plants

https://learn.eartheasy.com/articles/how-to-establish-a-clover-lawn/

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/cover_crops01/sweetclover.htm

Recipes:

https://practicalselfreliance.com/flower-jelly/

https://dreenaburton.com/sugar-free-jam/

https://commonsensehome.com/red-clover/

Lilacs:

Lilacs: May - June Spring

What a beautiful scent! I usually enjoy them at my desk before they fade away into Summer.

https://sheridannurseries.com/all-about-lilacs/

https://www.almanac.com/plant/lilacs

Recipes:

https://www.unconventionalbaker.com/recipes/raw-lilac-cheesecake-recipe-dairy-free/

https://rainbowplantlife.com/vegan-lilac-lemon-cake/

https://fareisle.com/lilac-lemon-mini-cake-vegan/

https://www.pinterest.fr/pin/513691901252210571/

There is so much more that you can forage in Spring/Sumer and onward, here in Southern Ontario, Canada! Part 2 is on the horizon, as well as videos on walking in the woods, in nature (no music, no talking, just nature sounds), as well as upcoming InkTober nature drawings (for my upcoming children’s foraging book), and other art.

I hope that I have inspired you to get out there for the first time, or get back out there again, and enjoy yourself in nature!

Thanks for reading & watching.

Sincerely,

Susan L

RiverWoodStudio.ca

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Foraging Books:

A foraging E-book .pdf will be available, after I post future blogs of what you can forage here. Also, I have been working on a children's foraging book. Subscribe to the monthly Newsletter to get notified.

Southern Ontario:

http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/maps/counties/region.aspx

https://www.google.com/maps/search/southern+ontario+map/@44.0972709,-80.1757429,8z