Looking to learn more about collecting plants beyond the boundaries of your own property? Let's dive into wild harvesting 101 and get you set up to explore the bounty that is likely growing all around you!
Before we dive in, want a deeper understanding of wild harvesting? Read our blog here.
WILD HARVESTING 101
Best practices for wild harvesting:
Know the plants you are harvesting, if you aren’t certain, don’t harvest or use it – some toxic/deadly plants look very similar to common medicinal plants, especially mushrooms.
Only harvest in areas that you have permission to, get permission from the owner if harvesting on private land, know the maximum amount you can take from public lands. Take only what you need and can use, do not take more just because it is there.
Avoid harvesting from the only group of plants in an area – if a plant isn’t abundant, it’s best to find another area with a larger population to collect from. Do not harvest in heavily used areas like picnic areas, national parks, or city parks.
Be respectful of the plant and of others who may want to harvest the same resource. Harvest with a sense of appreciation for the plant and the place it is growing, do not disturb more than is needed to collect the plant.
How much of one plant should you harvest?
Take only what you can use and never take from more than 10% of the plants growing in the area or patch. Consider collecting less if harvesting roots since this will usually kill the plant. When possible, do not harvest whole plants, take only the parts that are needed (leaves, flowers, fruits, etc.) and leave enough of the plant so that it can survive the harvest and continue to grow.
When harvesting bark, try to take twigs or small branches and not from the trunk, if harvesting from the trunk be sure not to “girdle” the tree by cutting all the way around the trunk.
What are the best locations to wild harvest?
Harvesting for personal use is allowed on National Forest land in the US. Check with the local ranger district for any guidelines before harvesting. Private property is also an option with permission from the owner – getting written permission and sharing a harvest plan/agreement is a good idea. City or county natural areas may also be an option.
Where should you avoid wild harvesting?
Avoid wild harvesting near roads, powerlines, pipelines, railroad tracks, heavy industry or power generation, and city/public parks with lawns since these may be sprayed with pesticides, fertilizer, herbicides, and/or contaminated with runoff or particulate pollution. Harvesting is never allowed in National Parks in the US. Do not harvest from private property if you don’t have permission from the owner.
Helpful local resources:
State or region-specific guides and dichotomous (identification) keys are best; state universities and some counties may have free or low-cost extension programs/resources that can connect you with a botanist or someone who can help teach or suggest resources for you to learn plant identification in your area.
For Colorado, the Flora of Colorado is a comprehensive guide to typical growing areas and identification of plants, though it doesn’t speak to medicinal or edible uses.
Local foraging guides are also helpful, though there are a lot of AI “slop” books on the internet and Amazon about this topic, so a physical bookseller, or library is the safest bet. Local herbalists can also help with identification and may offer classes. Facebook is also a great spot to find a wild harvesting or foraging group for your region.
While apps can be helpful, they are not 100% accurate, and we don't suggest using them as your sole identifier. When in doubt, don’t harvest or use a plant. Instead, take photos and bring them to a trusted source for input.
Things to be aware of:
Many plants look similar until they bloom, and some toxic/poisonous plants look very similar to medicinal plants. Take notes of key identifying features before going out to harvest. A great example is poison hemlock and how similar it looks to wild carrot.
Know which plants in the area you are intending to harvest - if they are endangered or overharvested – do not harvest any that fit in one of these categories. If you are harvesting with other people, make sure they are all educated on plant identification, responsible harvesting, and which plant(s) you are and are not harvesting.
You should not harvest mushrooms unless you have a mycologist or someone very skilled in identification in the group – it is very hard to tell poisonous and edible mushrooms apart and even very experienced mushroom collectors make mistakes.
Lastly, always let someone know where you are going in case you get lost or injured while harvesting, and take a buddy for support (and help harvesting) if possible.
Wild Harvesting Supplies:
- A cloth bag, bucket, or other container to put collected materials in.
- Scissors, clippers, or a knife to harvest flowers or aerial parts, bark, or twigs.
- A small trowel or weeding fork if collecting roots.
- Suitable clothes for the environment you are harvesting in, water, food, first aid supplies, sunscreen, insect repellent.
- Racks, towels, or a dehydrator to dry the herbs when you get back, if you aren’t using them fresh.
- Clean, airtight containers to store dried herbs.
- Books or guides to help you identify plants. Of course, we are big fans of our Founder's book, found here.
- Motherlove's Green Salve to help with any outdoor annoyances, and to soothe tired working hands after a day in the dirt.
Plants you may discover:
Depending on the time of year and your location, what is available to you will vary. However, here are some common plants to keep an eye out for if native in your area.
- Dandelion
- Nettles
- Yarrow (not cultivated)
- Mint
- Beebalm (horsemint)
- Horsetail
- Linden (basswood)
- Mulberry
- Raspberry
- Currant
- Fir
- Pine
- Oregon grape
- Willow
- Clover
- Plantain
- Mullein
- Rose blossom
- Rosehips
- Sage
- Sorrel
- Yellow dock (Rumex spp.)
- Lambs quarter/goosefoot (Chenopodium album and related spp.)
- Cattail
- Viburnum opulus (cramp bark)
- Shepherds purse
- Mallow
- Alfalfa
- Goldenrod
- Cleavers
- Violet
- & much, much more!
Remember to respect the plants!
As our founder states in her Herbal Guide, "Ask permission of the plants you take and give thanks to them for sharing their strong, healing food and medicine. We are caretakers. Harvest with respect and appreciation always."
Now that you have a good understanding of how to ethically and sustainably wild harvest, get out there and explore.
