Urban Farming Part 3: Foraging

Around the beginning of June, I started potting some of my vegetable scraps routinely, it was great to see them grow and flourish. At the time, I really did believe they were coming into harvest. In July they, were growing fast but far from being ready for harvest. Everything looked promising until mid-way through August.

This year we had virtually no summer over here in the UK. I waited it out as long as possible but growing food anywhere in the London area probably didn't work out well. Apart from cloudy humidity in July I can pretty much count on one hand a number of days, we have had summery weather acceptable for this time of year. We've had constant rain and temperature highs of around 10 degrees, to be honest. My winter coats never made it into storage and unfortunately even with a lot of help with fertiliser, my harvest couldn't weather the conditions. 

I considered UV lamp lighting which I already have for an African tortoise I used to have but, electricity bills would skyrocket and just didn't make sense for a few onions celery and lettuce. My Spring onions and leek did really well, the only thing I believe I could have done better is to plant everything a lot earlier. As June is really the start of summer and not spring.

Rose Hips

On a much better note, I have been cycling the past few months. While commuting I found new nature reserves and hide away bike paths, which a full-time driver like myself, never even knew existed. We found everything from local apple trees, pear trees, and plum trees. Blueberries and berries galore. Which made me consider foraging. The wild wheat is flourishing at the marshes by the river lee that runs through my town and there are so many types of berries and leafy greens that can be used as herbs, or in salads and also have certain anti-parasitic and detoxing properties. So far we've been foraging for all of the above and rose hips, which are great for the skin and anti-fungal. Easy to make into a tea and quite mild and tasty if I don't say so myself ;)

Sloes 

Now since I have a lot to learn about foraging (there are many poisonous berries to avoid) I will keep updating. But what I like most about the idea of foraging is that it's always readily available, natural and completely pure, heirloom no pesticides or artificial tampering at all. What you pick has grown and flourished all on it's on with only nature's assistance. 

Update coming soon!