WILD GARLIC SEASON

March and April bring one of nature’s most generous gifts, wild garlic. Found growing in shady woodlands and along hedgerows, it is a perfect example of seasonal, local food that requires no packaging and very little effort once you know what to look for.

How to recognise it
Wild garlic has long, soft green leaves and a very distinct smell. The easiest way to identify it is to gently crush a leaf between your fingers. If it smells strongly of garlic, you are on the right track. Later in the season, it produces small white star-shaped flowers. Always be careful not to confuse it with similar-looking plants like lily of the valley, which are not edible, so when in doubt, rely on the garlic scent.

How to forage responsibly
Take only what you need and leave plenty behind so it can continue to grow and spread. Pick leaves from different plants rather than clearing one patch, and avoid pulling up the bulbs so the plant can regenerate year after year. A small handful goes a long way.

How to use it
Wild garlic is incredibly versatile. You can chop it fresh into salads, stir it through potatoes, blend it into pesto, add it to soups or mix it into butter for an easy flavour boost. It brings a gentle garlic taste without being overpowering.

​How to store it
Fresh leaves will keep in the fridge for a few days, but if you have a good haul, there are plenty of ways to preserve them. You can freeze it chopped, blend it into pesto and freeze in portions, or dry it for later use. Another simple option is to make wild garlic oil or butter, which can be stored and used over time.

Wild garlic is a lovely reminder that some of the best food is growing right around us. Foraging, when done thoughtfully, connects us to the seasons and helps reduce reliance on packaged ingredients. It is zero waste at its most natural.

If foraging is not for you, you can also drop in to The Urban Co-op and pick up locally foraged wild garlic leaves, making it easy to enjoy this seasonal treat without the guesswork.

Geraldine Fitzpatrick