You need a forager’s kit if you are a beginner to foraging or a foraging enthusiast but you always seem to come across some wonderful edibles and not have something to carry them home with or have doubts about how to identify a plant. You may find this check-list useful before your next foraging trip.

What to Bring (and Wear) When You Are Going Foraging

Forager’s Kit: List of Items

Here is a simple check-list of what to bring on a foraging trip (including what to wear later on). You may not need all the items from this list but at least pack some water and a reference book if you are travelling light.

~ Reference book to help you identify a plant

~ Kitchen scissors

~ Pocket knife (useful for small branches and sturdy plant stems)

~ Canvas bags to carry your foraged vegetables

~ 1 or 2 empty jars to collect loose berries

~ 1 – 3 empty plastic containers if you are planning to pick different types of plant (it makes it easier to wash and store later)

~ Wet wipes (you can thank me later when you pick berries!)

~ Strong rubber gloves or gardening gloves (in case you are picking stinging nettle)

~ First aid kit (small cuts and grazes are an almost inevitable part of foraging)

~ Bottle of water

~ Snacks (recommended: Graze snacks, affiliate) or picnic for longer walks (an average foraging walk is 2 hours)

~ Sunscreen if it’s really sunny (but even if it’s cloudy, as you never know when the sun will make its next appearance!)

The Forager’s Kit: What to Wear

~ Sturdy walking shoes or boots

~ Rainproof jacket

~ Hat or baseball cap

~ Long trousers that you don’t mind getting torn or ripped (even in summer, as you don’t want to brush against stinging nettle with bare legs!)

What are your best tips for what to take our foraging? Tweet me at @paolaenergya