October 2025 * The Hunter Gatherer Society

A large glass jar of homemade Kombucha with a visible SCOBY on top, surrounded by bottles of golden-brown Kombucha, blackberries, ginger, and sage on a rustic wooden table in natural sunlight.

How to Make Kombucha from Scratch: A Beginner’s Guide to Wild Fermentation

October 30, 2025 rpolipnick Wild Food Recipes with Foraged Ingredients

By Richard | The Hunter Gatherer Society It has been several years since I first shared my method for making Kombucha from scratch, and in that time I have learned a lot. While Kombucha isn’t something you hunt, fish, or forage, it still connects me to the natural world. It is a living process that mirrors the patience and balance I have found through wild fermentation, homemade wines, and wild fermented cider made with blackberries and raspberries. During the slower months of winter, I often turn to brewing Kombucha as a simple indoor project. The gentle scent of fermenting tea filling the kitchen always reminds me that nature keeps creating even when the forest rests. What Is Kombucha Kombucha is[…]

Forage Wild Edible Plants: Beginner-Friendly Greens, Roots, and Berries

October 23, 2025 rpolipnick Foraging Wild Edible Plants and Mushrooms, Wild Edible Plants Foraging and Identification Guides

When I first started foraging, I thought mushrooms would be my main focus. But over time, I realized that wild plants are just as exciting—sometimes even more so. They’re easier to find, often safer for beginners, and can be used in all kinds of simple ways in the kitchen. In this post, I’ll walk you through some of my favorite beginner-friendly wild edible plants and how to start foraging them responsibly. If you’re curious about expanding your skills beyond mushrooms, learning to forage wild edible plants is the perfect next step. Easy Wild Edible Plants for Beginners 1. Nettles Basic ID: Stinging nettle grows in tall clusters with serrated, pointed leaves. Fine stinging hairs cover the stems and leaves, causing[…]

Forage Wild Edible Plants This Fall: A Beginner’s Guide

October 16, 2025 rpolipnick Foraging Wild Edible Plants and Mushrooms, Wild Edible Plants Foraging and Identification Guides

October isn’t just about pumpkins and cider. It’s also one of the best times of year to forage wild edible plants. Cool nights, autumn rains, and crisp mornings bring out a bounty of fruits, greens, and roots that thrive in the fall. Foraging in October is the perfect mix of discovery and nourishment — a chance to fill your basket with nutrient-rich foods while soaking in the colors and quiet of the season. In this guide, I’ll share some of the best wild edible plants to forage in fall, the essential gear I always bring along, and a few lessons I’ve learned from years of exploring the autumn woods. Whether you’re a beginner or just looking to reconnect with the[…]

Person writing in a foraging journal on a mossy forest floor with sunlight filtering through trees, surrounded by wild plants, mushrooms, and a woven basket.

Introducing the Foraging Journal & Beginner’s Field Guide

October 10, 2025 rpolipnick Foraging Wild Edible Plants and Mushrooms, Wild Edible Mushrooms Foraging Guides, Wild Edible Plants Foraging and Identification Guides

Learn, Record, and Reconnect With the Wild One Page at a Time Now available on Amazon: Foraging Journal & Beginner’s Field GuideBrowse more journals & companion pages: Foragers’ Journals (HG Society) Discover the Joy of Learning by Doing If you’ve ever felt the pull to slow down and reconnect with nature — to notice what’s growing around you, to taste wild flavors, and to understand your local landscape — this guide was made for you. The Foraging Journal & Beginner’s Field Guide blends practical knowledge with mindful exploration. It’s part learning tool, part keepsake — a place to identify wild edible plants and mushrooms while recording your personal discoveries and reflections. Whether you’re wandering your backyard, hiking a mossy trail,[…]

A forest-themed meme with the quote “If you can’t name it, don’t eat it,” reminding foragers to identify mushrooms carefully before eating.

Foraging Wild Mushrooms Safely This Fall

October 9, 2025 rpolipnick Foraging Wild Edible Plants and Mushrooms, Wild Edible Mushrooms Foraging Guides

There’s nothing like October in the woods—the crunch of golden leaves, the crisp air, and the thrill of spotting a mushroom cap glowing on the forest floor. Fall is peak mushroom season, but it’s also when beginners are most tempted to take risks. In this guide, I’ll share my rules for foraging wild mushrooms safely, along with some of the best mushrooms to look for this fall. How to Forage Wild Mushrooms Safely Foraging for wild mushrooms is one of the most rewarding experiences in nature, but it also comes with serious responsibility. The forest offers incredible flavors, yet it can also hide a few dangerous look-alikes. The key to a safe and enjoyable experience is knowledge, patience, and respect[…]