FRESH FOOD IN SEASON

Foraging for wild food

If you are foraging for wild food, remember to always follow the Foraging Code (WildFoodUK), respect the land, animals, birds and other creatures who depend on wild food and undisturbed habitats to survive.

I have written about the benefits of foraging and where to start in The Wonders of Wild Food and Foraging for Nature's Bounty.

In the fields and hedgerows - Alexanders, Beech Leaves, Bistort, Burdock, Chickweed, Comfrey Leaves, Dandelion, Fat Hen, Good-king-henry, Hawtorn Tips, Hop Tips, Nettle Tips, Orache, Rampion, Salad Burner, Sea Beet, Sorrel, Tansy, Watercress, Wintercress, Wood Sorrel

Wild Herbs - Cleavers, Hairy Bittercress, Hedge Garlic, Lemon Balm, Wild Marjoram, Spearmint, Sweet Cicely, Wild Thyme, Wild Fennel

Edible Wild Flowers - Dandelion, Daisies, Nasturtiums, Broom, Borage, Elderflower, Chamomile, Hawthorn, Marigold, Pansy, Violet, Wild Rose

Local Vegetables - Asparagus, Broad Beans, Baby Globe Artichokes, Peas, Radishes, Wild Rocket, Beetroot, Cabbages, Cauliflower, Chard, Endive, Green Garlic, Lettuce, Spring Onions, Spinach, Spring Greens, Turnips, Sorrel, Gooseberry

Garden & Wild Herbs - Chives and Chive Flowers, Parsley, Chervil, Basil, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Mint, Lemon Balm, Lemon Verbena, Coriander, Dill

THINGS TO DO IN THE GARDEN

There is always something to do in the garden at any time of year and get ready for the blossoming of Spring as the days unfold. This is the perfect time to plant young seedlings outside in pots and in the garden. Expect lots of growth with a profusion of early buds as an abundance of flowers start to emerge. 

No mowing in May  - native wildflowers will soon shoot up on an unmown lawn which encourages pollinators to visit your garden. Always leave part of your lawn unmown to provide sanctuary for Nature's tiny beings

Propogate cuttings - all fresh herbs are great plants to propagate by taking a branch from the main stem. If it is soft like Basil, leave the stem in water and wait for roots to appear, or dip the stem in rooting powder and place it straight into a pot filled with compost.

Vegetable Planting - plant out tender vegetable plants such as Winter Squash, Courgettes and Tomatoes

Hanging Baskets - create colourful displays in hanging baskets or pots with small bedding plants from local markets and farm shops that can be grouped together. Strawberries love to grow in large hanging baskets on their own.

Frost Protection - Beware of late frosts and be prepared to protect newly planted plants with fleece or newspaper (or bring inside) if necessary.

Weeding (and not weeding) - keep on top of unwanted, non-native weeds, get among your plants and do a good weed now, nipping problems in the bud which is always easier after wet weather. Make sure to leave patches of Nettles, wildflowers and wild herbs that may look like weeds but are more nutritious than supermarket vegetables.

Make your own Weed Fertiliser - keep on top of unwanted weeds, get among your plants and do a good weed now, nipping any problems in the bud, weeding is always easier after wet weather. 

1. Fill a 5 gallon bucket with water.
2. Pop in your weeds,
3. Let them stew for a few weeks.
4. Stir every so often
5. Strain out the stinky weed liquid for a rich natural weed juice.
6. Dilute 1 part juice into 9 parts water.
7. Use to water your garden and pots when they need a feed. 
   

THINGS TO DO IN NATURE IN MAY



Bat Watching

Bats hunt at night and depend on their hearing to move around. They have their very own radar system and emit a high frequency noise that bounces off objects and potential prey. This allows them to 'see' their surroundings in their mind.

We have 18 species of Bats in the British Isles and some can be seen flying in our gardens. The Common Pipistrelle is the most common but sadly, they are an endangered species due to reduced numbers of insects and a lack of safe and clean places to roost.

Bats begin to emerge from their hibernation at the end of April. so go outside at dusk to watch them foraging for food as they swoop around you and above you. They can often be found near ponds and lakes where you can see them skimming the surface for a flying insects. They will never bump into you and are magical to watch in the dusky light.

No Mow May

Every garden, balcony, yard and open space is a potential haven for wildlife.

Allow your lawn to grow wild this May as part of Plantlife: saving wild plants annual movement. Watch your garden transform into an oasis for wildlife where patches of long grass encourage different plant species to grow. Help insects to thrive and create feeding opportunities for birds and small mammals.

Think about sharing your garden and outside space with Nature more this year and you won't be disappointed.

I hope you enjoy making the most of Nature through May for your good health, happiness and wellbeing, and look forward to seeing you here for the next Almanac on 1 June 2025.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf

Buy a book!

Books with seasonal information presented for each month of the year are available from the Spiral Leaf bookshop using the links below.

The Almanac - A Seasonal Guide to 2025 by Lia Leendertz

The Leaping Hare Nature Almanac by Raluca Spatacean

The Forager's Calendar: A Seasonal Guide to Nature’s Wild Harvests by John Wright

Wild Hares and Hummingbirds by Stephen Moss

The Running Hare by John Lewis-Stempel

The Leaping Hare by George Ewart Evans and David Thomson

Meadowland - The Private Life of an English Field by John Lewis-Stempel

Spiral Leaf may earn a small commission on books sold using the above links in support of independent book sellers and bookshops at no extra cost to you!