★★★ September Challenge ★★★
Seek out a nice walking route that includes the opportunity to also do some foraging
Yesss!!! It’s foraging time again! I’ve been eying those nettle seeds and blackberries for weeks, so it’s a great opportunity to make this our walking challenge!
So what to forage? That’s always what I ask myself and how to make space for foraging in my walks and runs!
In September, the UK countryside we have quite a variety of seasonal foraging opportunities. So if you are in the UK, here are some ideas to get you started :
1. **Blackberries**: Found in hedgerows and woodland edges from late summer to early autumn, blackberries are are a staple in our house. We collect a lot and freeze them, to put into smoothies all year long! Obviously they're also great for making jams and pies.
2. **Hazelnuts**: These nuts are said to start ripening in September but we’ve never been lucky with hazels. We have some in our area, but having squirrels in the area as well, they seem to always get there first! But I haven’t given up yet, and am eyeing up some hazels on my regular jeffing route!
3. **Nettles**: I have not yet collected Nettle seeds, but I am so interested in trying this out. But the fear of stinging has kept me reticent! So every year I say I’ll try this…. And it’s the season again again! Now or wait another year?
4. **Rose Hips**: Similar to nettles, the knowledge of Rose-hips having some serious power of making you itch has kept me away. But I long for some rose hip syrup, something that can be bought easily in Germany but not in the UK. We have plenty of rose-hips on wild roses (Rosa Rogusa) on my route’s hedgerows.
5. **Rowan Berries**: I’ve only collected these once before. We don’t have many in our area, but there is this one large bush…. . The bright red clusters of rowan berries should be ready to harvest around September. For jams, jellies, and syrups.
6. **Crab Apples**: Small, tart crab apples are also often found in hedgerows and woodlands. They’re perfect for making jellies, chutneys, or adding to cider. We used to have a crab apple tree, which was useful as we added crab apples to jellies.
IMPORTANT: As always, ensure proper identification and sustainable foraging practices.
So who combines their September walks with foraging? What do you collect, and which goodies do you make from your foraged foods?
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So happy walking, everyone!
Help your fellow walkers to stay motivated by posting pics or thoughts from some of your walking experiences!
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Just our usual links to our Active10 App, which works perfectly for his challenge:
★ For those new to walking or those who like to track and be rewarded for their walking, you can combine the above challenges with the use of the NHS Active 10 App. The Active 10 app anonymously records every minute of walking you do. And you can just pop your phone in your pocket and it still tracks every mile. I have it on my phone with constant tracking on, although you will have to open it every few days to keep it tracking. Details at: nhs.uk/better-health/get-ac...
And if you are new to walking, have a look at the following guidance or plans:
★ NHS Guidance on Walking for Health, with plenty of ideas for getting those steps in and link to the Active10 app nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/r...
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