Young dandelion leaves add a bitter note to salads and are abundant in lawns, meadows, and roadside verges.

With a sharp, lemony taste, sorrel leaves are a zesty addition to salads and soups. They grow in grasslands and open woodlands.

Bright yellow flowers with a mild coconut scent can be used to infuse teas or flavor desserts. Gorse bushes are common in heathlands and open spaces.

Both leaves and flowers are edible, adding a mild, sweet flavour to dishes. Primroses are found in woodlands, hedgerows, and shaded banks.

Also known as pot marigold, its vibrant petals are edible and can be used in salads or as a natural dye. Planting calendula can also help deter pests and attract beneficial insects to your garden.  

The sweet-scented flowers can be used in salads, desserts, or crystallised as decorations. Typically found in woodlands and shady areas.

Bright yellow flowers with edible leaves (best cooked). Found in damp woodlands and shady park edges.

Succulent-like leaves with a mild taste. Found on old walls and shaded rocky areas.

Where: Highgate Wood, Richmond Park

Also known as sticky weed, young shoots can be used in soups or as a tea. Often found in hedgerows and woodland areas.

Young nettle shoots can be harvested carefully (using gloves) and used in soups or teas. They are often found in nutrient-rich soils, woodland edges, and disturbed grounds.

A versatile plant with a flavor reminiscent of celery. Young shoots and leaves can be used in salads or cooked dishes. Commonly found along coastal areas and roadsides.

Also known as Jack-by-the-hedge, its leaves have a mild garlic flavor, suitable for salads and pestos. Look for it along hedgerows and woodland edges.

A delicate green with a mild, spinach-like taste. Common in gardens, parks, and moist, shady areas.

A peppery-flavored green that thrives in damp, disturbed soils. Look for it in urban green spaces, gardens, and along pathways.

A bracket fungus often found on fallen logs. Not for eating but valuable for medicinal teas.

A tricky-to-find wild root with a nutty taste. Found in old meadows and woodland clearings.

Spicy roots that can be roasted. Found along coastal paths and chalky soil.

The roots are edible and can be dug up from wild areas. They have a mild, earthy flavor and can be roasted or used in soups.

While the prime season is autumn, some residual nuts may still be found beneath hazel trees in early spring.

A jelly-like fungus found on elder trees, commonly used in Asian cuisines. It has a mild flavor and a crunchy texture.

An exotic-looking fungus with red, tentacle-like arms and a distinct odor. While not edible, it’s a fascinating find for foragers and nature enthusiasts. Spotted in various locations, including East Sussex.

Also known as haws, these red berries can linger into early spring and are suitable for making jellies or wines. Found in hedgerows and woodlands.

These red, vitamin C-rich fruits from wild roses can persist into winter and early spring. Ideal for making jams, syrups, or teas. Search for them in hedgerows and along woodland edges.

This ear-shaped, dark brown fungus grows on elder trees and is excellent in soups or stir-fries.

While many may have fallen earlier, some beech nuts can still be found beneath beech trees. They can be eaten raw or toasted but are fiddly to shell.

Appearing from late March, these mushrooms have a firm texture and mild flavor, suitable for various dishes. Often found in grassy areas, such as meadows and woodland clearings. 

A striking red fungus that adds color to winter foraging. While not highly flavorful, it can be used as a decorative edible garnish. Typically grows on decaying wood in damp, deciduous forests.

These can be dug up and used as a coffee substitute or cooked similarly to other root vegetables. Dandelions are widespread in lawns, parks, and meadows.

Velvet Shank (Flammulina velutipes): An edible winter mushroom with a shiny orange-brown cap and velvety stem. Often found on dead or dying hardwood trees. Ensure proper identification, as some mushrooms have toxic look-alikes.