The Forager’s Calendar is the book I recommend the most to all the attendees on my foraging courses.
This book was a recent addition that I picked up on a whim last year, and I’m really pleased I did. If there is one book I’d heartily recommend to anyone with even a hint of an interest in foraging, it would be this one.
While experienced foragers might not glean much in the way of extra information species-wise, John’s writing style is witty, engaging, and his advice is pragmatic. I’ve really enjoyed this book and often refer to it just to read his take on a particular species.
For beginners, it covers everything you really need. There is a good balance between plants and fungi, and the species are helpfully listed in month-by-month sections based on the best harvesting times. Reading it, you will be bombarded with his enthusiasm and humour towards the topic, which I’m sure you will find quite infectious.
There are fairly clear descriptions and a photograph or two of the species being discussed. This would be my only negative comment. It’s a good-sized paperback to take out and about with you, but the lack of multiple images of the species in various stages lets it down as a ‘field guide’. It’s not a biggie — the image for each species is clear, and there are plenty of other resources to draw from to back up your findings. I hope in future editions, the publishers might add even just an extra 1/2 page of supporting photographs/illustrations — this would take it from an already excellent 4.8/5 to a full on 5-star beginners’ field guide.
Overall, this is my most highly recommended foraging guide book for the beginner, intermediate and experienced forager alike. Not only is the information clear, but the enthusiasm and confidence it instils in you is also invaluable.