Tree Wardens have been foraging for wild food in the hedgerows of South East England. As part of its Hedgerow Harvest project in the region, The Tree Council has been running foraging events with Tree Wardens and others in Hampshire, Surrey and Kent.
The pictures on the right show a Kent foraging walk, followed by a hedgerow produce tasting session. More events will be taking place across the South East in the coming months, particularly during Seed Gathering Season.
Together with Tree Wardens, we will also be planting 40 fruit hedges throughout the region this autumn.
Each foraging event is drawing upon different aspects of the wild food around us, some focusing on spring herbs, others on herbal medicine or hedgerow flowers, like elder and dog rose.
The Hedgerow Harvest website now has lots of recipes and ideas for wild food, many contributed by Tree Wardens. However we want more – and not just from the South East.
Do you use damsons, rowan berries or elderberries? Have you a family recipe for spicy plums or an interesting use for blackberries? The Tree Council would love to hear from you and you can submit your recipes online at http://www.hedgerowharvest.org.uk/recipe-categories/submit-your-recipe
Also online is a Hedgerow Harvest teachers’ pack, with lesson plans that meet the needs of Key Stage 3 of the National Curriculum. The pack has been written for us by Tree Council member Learning Through Landscapes.
The Tree Council’s Hedgerow Harvest project seeks to reconnect people to the heritage of free local healthy food.
It builds on existing work being carried out as part of the Hedge Tree Campaign and encourages people to access food for free on their doorstep by supporting a network of hedgerow foragers across the region that can inspire their neighbours and undertake projects in their communities.
The project is encouraging people to use the free, healthy food that is there for the picking by providing advice, information and recipes on the Hedgerow Harvest website. It is also offering advice about what to grow and how to plant and maintain a productive hedge.
The Hedgerow Harvest project is supported by a Local Food Grant from The Big Lottery. To find out more go to www.hedgerowharvest.org.uk
