Foraging in Chapel Hill, especially for blackberries (Raleigh, New Bern: live, farms)

[snufkinmama]

Hi, everyone. I'm new to the area and have been lurking on the forum for some months. Lots of useful nuggets on here!

So, we love foraging, but not in a greedy way. Where we lived before, we just took what we needed, and it was fine. Are there any good foraging hotspots around Chapel Hill? I know that you're not supposed to pick anything at the state parks. We would especially love some berries, such as blackberries and elderberries.

Also, anyone have any tips for finding other wild edibles? Having relocated from the UK, we are somewhat unfamiliar with nature's offerings around here.

[CHTransplant]

Behind the Lowes, using the path from the office parking lot behind the store.

[no kudzu]

At the Carrboro Farmer's Market. Bring Money!

[poppydog]

There are a lot of edible greens that are very foragable (is that a word) because so many people don't recognize them. Lots of folks know what blackberries are and will grab them if they see them. One that many people don't know is mulberries. We have quite a few mulberry trees in Chapel Hill and they are easy to spot and pick from once you know what they look like. You're late for those, though. They usually ripen in June I think.

If you want to do some pick-your-own, blueberries are still ripe now. We went last weekend and got 6lbs at $2 a lb up in northern Orange co.

I don't know of any wild blackberry foraging spots, but they like to grow at the woods edge. Keep your eyes open along roadsides, but be aware that DOT or Duke Power may spray them if they're in the right of way. There are a few farms that do pick your own blackberries, too.

In a couple of months you might be able to find some pecans to gather.

[j-mart77]

I can't help but thinking how proud Dr. Andre Nowzick would be. I don't know if anyone else will get the reference, but it has me cracking up just thinking about it.

[carcrazy67]

Probably too late for blackberries-don't have any left on my property.

[Poggly Woggly]

If we tell you where all the hot spots are then it ain' exactly foraging anymore is it? There's some great blackberry spots on the Raleigh Beltline between Wake Forest Rd. and New Bern Ave...better hurry though!

[WDJ]

Originally Posted by j-mart77

I can't help but thinking how proud Dr. Andre Nowzick would be. I don't know if anyone else will get the reference, but it has me cracking up just thinking about it.

I totally got that one. That was the first thing I thought of when I saw the word foraging.

[toot68]

To late for blackberries, but for future refererence the power line right of ways north of town are loaded with them.

There are also literally tons of walnuts that rot on the ground around here. Major pain to clean, but you can fill buckets in the fall.

[no kudzu]

I'm interested in walnuts in CH. Where? Do you need permission to get them?