This archive brings together practical, experience-led articles from The Backyard Farmer, covering gardening, DIY, indoor growing, foraging, reviews, and sustainable living. Each post is written with real-world use in mind — focusing on working with nature, building practical skills, and making sustainable choices more accessible.
The Barebones Harvesting & Gathering Bag is a hands-free harvesting bag designed for collecting fruit, vegetables and garden produce as you move around the plot. Its main advantage over a traditional trug is the complete harvesting setup: wear it while picking, use the removable watertight
Introduction: Herbs & Heresy — From Witch Hunts to Big Pharma The Roots of Herbal Medicine For centuries, the history of herbal medicine has shaped human survival. Herbal remedies and natural medicine formed the backbone of healthcare long before modern pharmaceuticals. Village midwives, hedge‑row healers,
The Forager’s Calendar by John Wright is a month-by-month guide to wild food in Britain, covering everything from mushrooms and berries to coastal plants and seasonal greens. Rather than acting as a quick identification manual, it helps you understand what is likely to be available
Hawthorn berries, or haws, are the red autumn fruits of hawthorn trees commonly found in UK hedgerows, woodland edges and field boundaries. They’re edible when correctly identified and have traditionally been used for jellies, syrups, teas and preserves. This guide covers how to identify hawthorn,
Introduction Collecting firewood can be a rewarding way to save money, stay warm, and enjoy the great outdoors. However, following legal tips for collecting firewood is essential to avoid fines, protect the environment, and ensure your own safety. It’s not as simple as picking up
Choosing a good UK foraging book comes down to what you want to identify and where you’ll use it. Beginners usually need clear photographs and a portable field guide, while more experienced foragers may want seasonal detail or specialist mushroom coverage. Below are my top
A dedicated foraging bag keeps your hands free and makes muddy, damp or delicate finds easier to carry than a normal rucksack. The Barebones Harvesting & Gathering Bag is the strongest all-round option here, while the Earth Biome Waxed Canvas and Mesh Foraging Bag is
Totally Wild is a company in the United Kingdom that offer educational services in foraging for wild foods in the UK. They are an experienced and reputable company set up by founder James Wood, a keen forager. Who founded ‘Totally Wild’? James Wood founded Totally Wild
Foraging in the UK is a rewarding way to connect with nature and discover seasonal wild food. From blackberries and nettles to wild garlic and edible fungi, there is something to find throughout much of the year. This beginner’s guide explains where you can forage,
Introduction Foraging is making a comeback—and it’s easy to see why. With more people turning to sustainable living and seeking ways to reconnect with the outdoors, edible plants in the UK offer an abundant, free, and often overlooked source of nutrition. Whether you’re wandering along