As you say it is a slow journey. And for that I am grateful because there is so very much to learn! No more than 3 years ago we were 100% dependent on shops & markets and while we are by no means there yet, we are a whole bunch closer to the goal. I should really be thanking whoever it was that designed this village, planting all the right kind of trees around it. The punchline of course is that 500 years later, almost no one here picks from them! Further evidence of the devolution of humans.
Thanks for sharing a little of your journey. I think foraging will only get us so far, no matter where we live, and having a garden is essential. In this way we can control the soil type & even the climate with poly tunnels etc, ultimately widening the variety of what we can grow. I like that you said "yet" and I wish you all the best on the road to becoming an expert.
What a shame that we devolution so much. I struggle with this so often and I have no idea how to tackle this problem. Fast food and instant gratification (essentially all numbing us) appeal to the masses so easily and they fall for it.
"Yet", yes. There are so many indigenous plants and non-native species that kind of have become native that I still want to learn and explore. The soil here is so fertile and healthy that it is a shame that most people rely on crops grown 100s of kilometres away from us.
Thanks for the thoughtful reply. 😊