Foraging

[Merab]

Those of you who go foraging for the pigs can answer my question.
How do you wash stuff you forage?
We have an alleyway running down the side of our house with some wonderful dandelion leaves.
Is it ok just to wash them under the tap, or does the risk of dog pee make them unsafe regardless?
Thanks

 

[Swissgreys]

I forage a lot, but only in areas where I am pretty confident dogs haven't been.

I always wash everything pretty thoroughly under the hose in the garden when we get back.
I put all leaves/grass into a large metal colander and give them a full soaking.
If the weather is good I lay things out on old beach towels in the sun to dry, and if the weather is less great I lay them on towels on the tile floor inside.

I don't think I would risk using leaves or forage from an area dogs might use to pee.

 

[Sophie B]

I foraged clovers and grass from outside my house and washed them thoroughly under the tap... I dare say I was blissfully unaware of whatever risks dog pee would have because I know for a fact dogs are there all the time, that was a long time ago and nothing ever came of it

 

[Bill & Ted]

We tend to forage down country lanes that have Cornish hedges. I get forage such as dandelions, cleevers and grasses from them as dogs can’t pee that high! You can pick them in your alleyway if it’s relatively clean, our snicket has some fantastic dandelions probably due to dog pee and the fact alleyways are usually damp places so they grow really strong. Just soak them in a bowl of water for 10 minutes and dry off with a paper towel

 

[JayfeathersPets]

When it comes to foraging I tend to wash the forage thoroughly under the tap and it seems to work well with this method for me.
For the alley way, if you think the plants have a chance of being contaminated with other animals urine I would avoid them. But if you have a garden usually you can find some nice dandelion there.

 

[Merab]

When it comes to foraging I tend to wash the forage thoroughly under the tap and it seems to work well with this method for me.
For the alley way, if you think the plants have a chance of being contaminated with other animals urine I would avoid them. But if you have a garden usually you can find some nice dandelion there.

Welcome to the forum and thanks

 

[Merab]

Thanks everyone.
I think I will err on the side of caution and stick with the stuff in the garden

 

[Bill & Ted]

Thanks everyone.
I think I will err on the side of caution and stick with the stuff in the garden

Probably safer, you never know. One year our snicket was sprayed by the parish council, luckily we have never picked from there x

 

[Bill & Ted]

I tend not to weed out dandelions and chickweed now. I have learnt to be less of a perfectionist when it comes to gardening. I‘ve got a patch of nettles which get caterpillars on each year, I think they are Red Admiral or Peacocks? That’s such a bonus. Years ago I would have had them grubbed out in no time

 

[Merab]

I will have to train my husband to leave the dandelions alone as well as the lawn edges for the herd