Edible wild plants for March

We're still relying on homegrown chickweed (Stellaria media) and some smooth sow thistle (most leaves have been eaten now) for our salad greens. Chickweed is thriving after a little bit of sunshine and warmer temperatures. Although it grows as ground cover in my polytunnel, it is still a wild plant and much healthier than shop-bought lettuce. Use scissors and snip off the tops or cut at the base and pull off all the leaves by hand. The stems can be a little stringy and undigestible.

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) in flower

We are using up the very last bag of dried stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) leaves which were the 'last cut' before winter last year. However, the new fresh shoots are now coming up and will provide a much-needed boost for the spring. Make a green tea or blend them up in a green smoothie. We often add a teaspoon or two of Sunwarrior Ormus Greens to add some extra goodness.

Ground elder (Aegopodium podagraria)

Ground elder (Aegopodium podagraria) shoots and leaves are coming up. One of the first signs of spring where we are. The beech leaves (Fagus sylvatica) are budding and not quite ready. However, another week or so of warm weather and they will shoot out. The first leaves are a vibrant green, almost luminescent. They make a lovely addition to salads with a slightly lemony flavour. Pick them early when they are delicate looking. They very quickly turn quite tough. Our ponies also love them and will nibble any within reach. We pull down the long branches on the mature trees for them and hold them while they take what they want.

Gorse (Ulex europaeus) is now in flower. Also known as whin or furze, we generally see it in January but the date seems to have moved around slightly. They provide lovely bright yellow, coconut-scented, flowers for salads. Be careful when you pick them as there are some long prickly thorns on the bushes. It's a very tough shrub and provides shelter from the winter winds. Our ponies certainly like to stand by it for shelter during stormy weather.

Gorse (Ulex europaeus)

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) is traditionally a springtime shrub and can be found in hedges across the UK. Pick the leaf and flower buds early. Known as 'bread and cheese', if you shut your eyes you can almost imagine it is. Almost!

Young beech (Fagus sylvatica) leaves

There should still be some wild cabbage (Brassica oleracea) leaves around if they haven't all been eaten. Also, common sorrel (Rumex acetosa) leaves, garlic mustard (Alliaria officinalis) shoots and leaves, ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea) leaves, fat hen (Chenopodium album), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) leaves, hairy bittercress (Cardamine hirsuta) and cleavers (Galium aparine).

Don't forget to forage in your own garden as much as you can and encourage the wild plants to come up by not 'weeding' various areas. The wildlife in your area will benefit as much as you. You will also be sure that your plants are free from any weedkiller and clean to eat.