LITMIR.BIZ

       Collection bag (a sandwich bag or similar)

       Plant-identification book/app

      1 Keep your eyes peeled for dandelion leaves. Many plants can frequently be found growing together; if so, there’s likely to be an abundance.

      2 Once identified correctly, pick the leaves and place in the collection bag ready to take home.

      3 When you’re collecting the leaves it’s really important to guide the collection process. As it’s a low-growing plant it’s important not to pick any leaves from the side of the road or in areas where people and dogs regularly walk. Dandelions do tend to grow in obscure and sometimes seemingly unhealthy places, such as along the edge of a busy road, but there are always plenty in more remote and suitable locations. It’s a matter of common sense and choosing leaves from clean environments.

      4 Always wash the leaves thoroughly in cold water before eating them.

       A drill with small drill bit

       A small twig

       An empty 1-litre bottle/container

       Duct tape or bungee cord

      1 Find a birch tree. These are common trees and should be at least 25cm in diameter at chest height. Anything less and it’s likely the process won’t work.

      2 Always seek permission from the owner of the tree before collecting the water or sap.

      3 At around 1 metre from the ground, drill a very small, slightly upward-directed hole a few centimetres into the tree.

      4 Stick a small twig into the hole (a matchstick will do, depending on the size of hole you’ve made). It shouldn’t plug the hole, but loosely fit inside.

      5 The fluid should begin to drain out of the hole and run along the stick.

      6 Use the duct tape or bungee cord to tie the bottle around the tree so that its opening is just below the stick coming from your hole.

      7 Ensure the fluid is dripping from the stick and collecting in the bottle.

      8 Once the collection method is secure, you can leave it alone for an hour – or, ideally, all night.

      9 The time of year will make a difference to the speed and quantity of flow. At their greatest flow levels, the quantities can be absolutely incredible and a litre can be collected in an hour.

      10 It’s really important to seal up the hole afterwards so the tree doesn’t continue to leak its precious fluid. Press the wooden plug right into the hole you made so the seal is tight and stems the flow of liquid.

      11 The best way to seal the hole is to use candle wax, which can be melted and pressed into the area to fill any extra gaps. This should stop the fluid, sap will form and the tiny injury to the tree will disappear in no time.

       A collection bag (sandwich bag/small basket)

       A plant-identification book/app

       Fire-starting materials (see ‘Light a fire’, see here) or a portable camping stove

       A small frying pan

       A small knob of butter, or splash of olive oil

       A clove of garlic, sliced

      1 Chanterelles can be found in mixed (deciduous and coniferous) and pure coniferous woodlands. Their orange colouring and wavy shape make them stand out from other species of mushroom that may be around.

      2 If you do come across a mushroom that looks like a chanterelle, use your identification book or search online to make a positive identification. This is vitally important. If you have any doubt, leave what you’ve found behind.

      3 Carefully pick the positively identified chanterelles, taking only what you’ll need.

      4 Light a fire or your portable camping stove and cook them on the spot, or take them home to cook. They are best fried in a pan with a little bit of butter or olive oil and some sliced garlic. Even a child who turns their nose up at mushrooms usually won’t be able to resist the delicious-looking and -smelling food presented before them.

      5 To repeat: please make sure you know for certain that the mushrooms you’ve picked are chanterelles. Eating mushrooms that you’re not 100 per cent sure about is extremely dangerous, so check, check and check again.