As with all things, be careful when foraging, and make sure you don't take too much.  While weeds may provide a seemingly endless supply of yummies, we need to be extra careful in forests.  Make sure you don't forage too often in the same spot, don't forage where others seem to have been (some foragers I know leave markers letting others know they've been there), and never take too much.

Try looking for local foraging groups or start your own.  It can be a great way to get food, but we need to be sure we don't over harvest and also leave plenty for the animals to dine as well.

I eat all kinds of things from my yard. One of my faves is chickweed (young). Dandelions are allways good, even better as fritters or wine. I hate mowing my yard, because most of it I can eat! Cattails are also an easy to identify edible. Just take care where and how you harvest.

Please gorge yourself on garlic mustard.  Rip it ALL out.  You can eat it while you are picking it.  But do keep in mind that you do not pick it when it is seeding and then string the seeds all the way back to your cooking area.  

If it is an exotic invasive, eat it all (I dare you; you won't be able to).  Bear in mind, however, that some states, counties, municipalities spray herbicides on weeds, so know exactly what's been going on where you harvest.

Also, Morels and other wild mushrooms taste fantastic, but I think we all know the drill:  do not pick fungi unless you are extremely well-versed or have an expert mycologist at hand.

Happy Wild Edible Eating!

I must say, if you can get out while the stinging nettle is still young (oh, around 3 inches max) they go wonderfully in salads, adding a nice nutty, alfalfa flavor that you can't quite get anywhere else. Also, the high vitamin A and iron content is quite nutritious, and nettle has long been used in specialty women's health teas. Just quickly blanch them in a hard boil and then dry on a towel. The heat breaks down the chemicals responsible for the burn, and the gentle rubbing with the towel helps remove some of the spines.

However, use caution. As we know, nettles grow near water, and it is important that you verify that this water is not contaminated by pesticides and herbicides, not to mention fertilizers. Just know your area before you pick.

In my garden, we not only have nettles, but also a great abundance of wild amaranth, (also known as pigweed).  When it's young and tender, the leaves can be cooked like spinach.  

Is there a best time when you should eat the leaves (raw or cooked)?  Like with dandelion, leave are best when young and small.