Of course there are a few things to remember before charging off into the fields and byways with baskets and scissors. Landowners might not be happy to have people climbing gates onto their land to forage about, so do ask permission, and whilst most won’t have a problem with your collecting sorrel or elderberries, for example, some may object to you pinching the mushrooms that they have been saving for themselves!

These days we have to contend with all manner of chemicals in the countryside. Remember that there is a lot of pollution from cars along busy roads, so it is better to spend time wandering along quieter lanes, and it is also a good idea to pick from either above or beyond "dog-pee" verges! If you are near the coast make sure you find out whether the sea is clean enough to harvest mussels or cockles, and if everything is ok then don’t forget to sample the seaweed too!

The two main things to be aware of are:

1. Harvest only plants or parts of plants where they are growing in profusion; never pick an area bare.

2. All plants are protected under the law in the Wildlife and Countryside Act (WCA) 1981. You may not uproot or dig up ANY plant unless you have the permission of the landowner.

Furthermore there is a list of 62 plants that may not be picked at all. There is an up to date list available on The Botanical Society of the British Isles web site (at www.bsbi.org.uk).

And finally...

Do invest in more than one good reference book. You will soon learn to recognize plants with the help of excellent illustrations, or even better, photographs. You will also find additional information about habitat, folk lore, and medicinal uses and so on.