Eatweeds Podcast: For People Who Love Plants

In this episode of Eatweeds, host Robin Harford interviews Matthew Pennington, co-owner of The Ethicurean restaurant. Matthew discusses the restaurant's philosophy of using 80-90% of its ingredients from its own Victorian walled garden and orchard, as well as from local suppliers. He also talks about the importance of foraging for wild food, and how it can help to connect us to the natural world.Other topics covered in the episode include: The challenges of running a sustainable restaurant The importance of using seasonal ingredients The art of fermentation The future of food This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in food, sustainability, and the natural world.Connect With The Ethicurean Facebook Instagram The Ethicurean website Back MatterFollow me (Robin Harford), for the latest updates and insights around foraging and wild food on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.And if you're ready to discover the secrets of Britain and Ireland's wild plants, get my bestselling foraging book. In it I teach you how to safely thrive from nature's larder.

This week on the Eatweeds podcast, we travel to the remote, idyllic region of Abruzzo, Italy, a haven for foragers, to meet our special guest, Marta Udalowa. Originally hailing from Poland, Marta has turned her passion for wild foods into a lifestyle, immersed in the bounty of nature.Join host Robin Harford as he engages in a fascinating conversation with Marta, a master pickler, about life in the Italian countryside, the art of foraging, and the delightful practice of pickling and preserving. This episode shines a spotlight on how Marta bridges the gap between the wild and the kitchen table, making the most of both cultivated and uncultivated plants. In episode 46, "Foraging In Italy", you'll discover:- The magic and abundance of Abruzzo’s unique flora, a true paradise for foragers.- The secrets and techniques of pickling and preserving, passed down through generations and honed by Marta to perfection.- The value and satisfaction of country living, and how the line between wild and cultivated foods can blur in a beautiful synergy.- Marta’s personal experiences and stories of foraging in Italy, offering a fresh perspective on wildcrafting.Whether you're a seasoned forager or just starting to explore the world of wild foods, you won't want to miss this insightful and inspiring episode. Discover how Marta's Italian adventure can provide you with new ideas for your own foraging practices, and maybe inspire you to try your hand at pickling!Connect With Marta (Forager In Italy) Facebook Instagram Marta's recipe for pickled cherries Book your stay on Marta's smallholding, Il Monte Farmhouse Back MatterFollow me (Robin Harford), for the latest updates and insights around foraging and wild food on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.And if you're ready to discover the secrets of Britain and Ireland's wild plants, get my bestselling foraging book. In it I teach you how to safely thrive from nature's larder.

Join us for a breath of fresh air with episode 45 of 'Eatweeds,' a podcast dedicated to celebrating the joy and richness of wild food. Our host, Robin Harford, transports us away from the bustle of daily life, inviting us to pause, reflect, and savor the exquisite moments of being at one with nature.In this special episode, Robin trades his traditional role as host to become our storyteller, bringing to life his personal essay on the pure, simple beauty of gathering Hawthorn flowers for syrup.Key topics covered include:- The art and wonder of foraging, in this case, focusing on the hawthorn.- The transformative process of wildcrafting, turning simple hawthorn flowers into a tantalizing syrup.- Embracing nature's cycles and the magic of spring when hawthorns bloom.Robin takes us on a sensory journey, painting a vivid picture of an English spring, when Hawthorn trees burst into life, their branches heavy with cream-colored blooms. As he walks us through the process of gathering these delicate blossoms, we are immersed in a fairy-tale landscape where bees dance joyously around the flowers, and the early morning dew brings a glistening freshness to the day.But this episode is about more than just the act of gathering hawthorn flowers; it's a meditative exploration of our connection to the natural world. As Robin shares his experience, we learn how foraging becomes a kind of alchemy, transforming not just the flowers into syrup, but the forager into an integral part of nature's narrative.Robin eloquently conveys the sheer joy and vitality that come from engaging directly with nature, infusing life with a rustic simplicity that's often missing in our urbanized existence. Making hawthorn syrup becomes a meaningful ritual, a way to weave nature into our everyday routines, creating an escape from emails, screens, and the never-ending scroll of modern life.In this enchanting episode of 'Eatweeds', Robin invites you to join him in saying yes to the delight of gathering Hawthorn flowers and invites you to rediscover a connection that nurtures not just our bodies, but our souls.Tune in, step out, and allow the wild to feed your spirit with Eatweeds!Back MatterFollow me (Robin Harford), for the latest updates and insights around foraging and wild food on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.And if you're ready to discover the secrets of Britain and Ireland's wild plants, get my bestselling foraging book. In it I teach you how to safely thrive from nature's larder.

My guest for this episode of the Eatweeds podcast is the remarkable Mo' Wilde. An author and experienced foraging teacher, Mo' has done something few could even contemplate: she lived for a full year completely sustained by wild food. Her fascinating journey and profound insights will have you rethinking your daily meals and your connection to the world around you.Key topics for this episode include: The incredible diversity of the microbiome and its importance for gut health. The essential practice of foraging and how it connects us to our ancestors. The astounding variety and nutritional richness of wild food. An in-depth discussion on food choices, their impact on our bodies, and the environment. Throughout the episode, Mo' shares the highs and lows of her year on wild food, detailing how it impacted her health, wellbeing, and particularly her microbiome. You'll hear about the changes she observed, the challenges she faced, and how the experience deepened her connection with nature.Robin and Mo' also delve into thought-provoking discussions about our food choices and how they directly influence not only our personal health, but the health of our soil and the broader ecosystem. Mo's unique perspective brings a refreshing and much-needed critique of our contemporary food systems, inspiring listeners to consider their own role within these systems.Join us for Episode 44 of Eatweeds, 'A Year on Wild Food', and take a step into the wild side of nutrition and ecological awareness. Whether you're a seasoned forager or just starting your wild food journey, this episode is a trove of knowledge, inspiration, and food for thought.Connect with Mo Wilde Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Selected links from the show The Wilderness Cure book The Wildbiome Project Eatweeds podcast archives Napiers the herbalists Association of Foragers About Mo WildeMo is a forager, research herbalist and ethnobotanist. She lives in West Lothian in a self-built wooden house on 4 organic acres where she is encouraging medicinal and foraging species to make their home, creating a wild, teaching garden. She has a Masters degree in Herbal Medicine, and is a Fellow of the Linnean Society, a Member of the British Mycological Society and a Member of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS). She also teaches foraging and herbal medicine courses, with the aim of “Restoring Vital Connection”.Back MatterFollow me (Robin Harford), for the latest updates and insights around foraging and wild food on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.And if you're ready to discover the secrets of Britain and Ireland's wild plants, get my bestselling foraging book. In it I teach you how to safely thrive from nature's larder.

In Episode 43, "Plants, Enchantment and Wild Words," Robin and Zoe delve into the enthralling world of plant lore and explore how enchantment and folklore have shaped our connection with the natural world. Zoe shares her unique insights into the role of plants in mythology and how anthropomorphism and gender have influenced our understanding and stories of the plant world.This episode also uncovers the magic of wordsmithing and the art of storytelling, revealing how the power of language can evoke a sense of wonderment and help us foster a closer bond with nature. Robin and Zoe discuss the significance of writing as a form of ritual and ceremony, demonstrating how creative expression can lead to a more profound connection with the earth and its stories.Highlights: Uncover the mesmerizing world of plant lore, enchantment, and folklore. Delve into the role of anthropomorphism and gender in our understanding of plants. Learn about the magic of wordsmithing and storytelling as a way to connect with the natural world. Discover writing as a form of ritual and ceremony. Join Robin Harford and Zoe Gilbert in Episode 43 of the Eatweeds Podcast, and let them guide you through a fascinating exploration of plants, enchantment, and wild words. Ignite your imagination and enhance your relationship with nature through the transformative power of storytelling and creative expression. Folk: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/folk/9781408884317 Mischief Acts: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/mischief-acts-joyous-the-times-best-summer-reads-2022/9781526628800 A Wild and Precious Life: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/a-wild-and-precious-life-a-recovery-anthology/9781783529643 London Lit Lab: https://www.londonlitlab.co.uk/ Zoe's website: http://zoegilbert.com/ Zoe's Twitter: https://twitter.com/mindandlanguage About Zoe GilbertZoe's first novel, Folk (Bloomsbury), was shortlisted for the International Dylan Thomas Prize and adapted for BBC Radio (read by the brilliant Samantha Spiro). She has just finished turning some of the chapters from Folk into a libretto, for a song cycle that will have its world premiere in 2023.Her second novel, Mischief Acts (Bloomsbury), is released in March 2022, and is inspired by the past and future of the Great North Wood, which used to cover a large swathe of South London.Since completing Mischief Acts, Zoe has moved from London to the Kent coast, which is (not surprisingly) influencing her third novel. It turns out that place - alongside folklore, nature and social history - is a starting point for her writing.Besides novels, Zoe has been writing short stories for most of her adult life. You can find a few of them in anthologies by Comma Press, and they have also appeared in books and journals worldwide including The Stinging Fly, Mechanics' Institute Review, and the British Fantasy Society Journal. Some of her stories have won prizes, including the Costa Short Story Award.Zoe is co-founder of London Lit Lab with Lily Dunn, where she teaches creative writing, and the co-editor with Lily of A Wild and Precious Life (Unbound 2021), an anthology of writers in recovery.

Online: Course: Medicinal Trees and Their Healing Propertieshttps://www.eatweeds.co.uk/medicinal-treesWebsite: Medicinal Forest Garden Trusthttps://medicinalforestgardentrust.org/ Twitter: @herbaid Instagram: @medicinalforest Facebook: @medicinalforest About Anne StobartAnne Stobart is a medical herbalist, herb grower and historical researcher. Previously, she directed the professional programme for clinical herbal practitioners at Middlesex University, UK. Her research interests span domestic medicine in the early modern period to present-day sustainable herbal medicine supplies. She is a member of the advisory board for the Journal of Herbal Medicine and is an Honorary Research Associate at the University of Exeter, UK.Her publications include Household Medicine in Seventeenth-Century England (Bloomsbury Academic, 2016) and The Medicinal Forest Garden Handbook (Permanent Publications, 2020).Anne co-founded the Holt Wood Herbs project in Devon based on permaculture design principles, transforming a redundant conifer plantation into a thriving medicinal forest garden.Currently, she is developing the Medicinal Forest Garden Trust and working with several groups on medicinal forest garden projects.Her latest online course is on Medicinal Trees and Their Healing Properties.

A short audio essay on sustainable harvesting and ethical wildcrafting. Spoken by Robin Harford from Eatweeds. Receive more audio essays, articles and wild food recipes by email. Sign up at https://www.eatweeds.co.uk/subscribeRelated articles Archive of shows of the Eatweeds Podcast Botanical Society Code of Conduct Sustainable foraging guidelines Foraging safety guidelines Careful with that plant ID app

Flora's website: Plants and ColourFind Flora on Instagram: @plants_and_colourAbout Flora ArbuthnottFlora Arbuthnott. Flora came to this practice through a desire to connect with the land. Working with plants such as camellia and buddleia flowers, oak galls, and dock roots, or growing dye plants in her garden such as madder, woad, and coreopsis. Creating drawings, paintings, and prints as one-off explorations of plant-based surface application bringing together natural dyeing, ink and paint making, and printmaking.Growing up in the countryside in Gloucestershire, Flora was taught to paint and print by her mother as a child. Following a degree in product design at Glasgow School of Art, she sought to reconnect with her family roots in textiles and printmaking, as well as with the natural raw elements of where materials come from. She was drawn to Devon to study permaculture (Earth Activist Training), horticulture (Schumacher College), and wild plants (Ffyona Campbell & Rhizome).Flora’s interest in plants and fungi go beyond colour. She is committed to living and working in rhythm with the seasons, the foraging and growing food, dyes, and medicines.

Mark Duffell is one of Britain's foremost botanists and ecologists. We discuss...  The best way for beginners to learn plant identification. Why the ecology of a plant is important to know before harvesting. Forager or pillager? Which one are you? How to overcome your fear of botany and science jargon. Why learning plant families is important. Sustainability and commercial wild food harvesting. Is there a problem? How ecology can guide us to live harmoniously with the Earth. Full show notes at eatweeds.co.uk/ep39

Nick Hayes author of the 'Book of Trespass' discusses the reason why Right to Roam is so important to the nation's mental health and wellbeing.  Why access to the countryside helps people deepen their connection to nature so they become better stewards of the planet. We discuss the concerns landowners have over littering and damage to their property including fences, gates, livestock etc. Also covered is the criminalising of trespass and its potential impact on already marginalised communities, as well as the rest of the general public. How will it impact your life and liberty? Show notes at eatweeds.co.uk/ep38