Neighbourhood Foraging: Wild Food for the Gourmet

Vegetables
Written By Steven Biggs

Edible Wild Plants

Wild food doesn’t have to mean subsistence food.

Robin Henderson, author of The Neighborhood Forager: A Guide for the Wild Food Gourmet, joins Steve and his daughter Emma to talk about what he calls gastronomic foraging: gathering wild plants for the interesting flavours and foods they bring to the table.

Robin grew up hearing family stories about earlier generations who foraged. Later, as urban growth engulfed the area where he lived, he began noticing the abundance of edible plants still growing around him.

In this conversation, we explore neighbourhood foraging, gathering food through the seasons—even in winter—and turning familiar wild plants into memorable food and drink.

Robin shares ideas for:

  • Elderflower champagne

  • Sumac lemonade

  • Sorrel paste and sorrel soup

  • Spruce beer

  • Dandelion salad and dandelion-root coffee

  • Lambs quarters

  • Winter foraging

This interview was originally recorded in 2020 and is co-hosted by Steve’s daughter, Emma Biggs.

Book mentioned:
The Neighborhood Forager: A Guide for the Wild Food Gourmet by Robert K. Henderson

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Steven Biggs

Recognized by Garden Making magazine as one of the "green gang" of Canadians making a difference in horticulture, Steven Biggs is a horticulturist, former college instructor, and award-winning broadcaster and author. His passion is helping home gardeners grow food in creative and attractive ways.


He’s the author of eight gardening books, including the Canadian bestseller No Guff Vegetable Gardening. His articles have appeared in Canada’s Local Gardener, Mother Earth News, Fine Gardening, Garden Making, Country Guide, Edible Toronto, and other magazines.


Along with over 30 years working in the horticultural sector and a horticultural-science major at the University of Guelph, Steven’s experience includes hands-on projects in his own garden including wicking beds, driveway strawbale gardens, and a rooftop tomato plantation—to the ongoing amusement of neighbours.


When not in the garden, you might catch him recording his award-winning Food Garden Life podcast or canoeing in Algonquin Park.

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Grow Food Outside the Veggie Patch: Edimentals with Harry Holding