Do you want to learn how to find wild garlic? But you don’t know where to start?
Follow us in this article! We guide you step by step to learn to identify it, find it and know when to look for it!
Here we go!
How To Identify Wild Garlic?
Is There A Poisonous Wild Garlic Look Alike?
Picking wild garlic is a pleasure! But do you really know how to identify it?
Warning! There is a risk of confusion with 2 other toxic plants: lily of the valley and colchicum.
To identify it, observe its leaves, these grow separately, and the section of the stem is not cylindrical, but describes a semicircle, unlike lily of the valley and colchicum which are cylindrical.
Fresh wild garlic has a bud that will give a flower with 6 fairly thin white petals.
Its smell is very characteristic. Wild garlic gives off a strong smell of garlic! Do not hesitate to rub its leaves or crush its bud between your fingers to smell it.
A Great Plant To Find Morel Mushrooms!
Did you know that wild garlic is regularly found near yellow morels? This plant shares the same habitat as the common morel. Awesome right?
BTW, we offer Mushroom Maps to find out where the best areas are. Check out our Mushroom Maps here.
Is It Safe To Eat Wild Garlic?
First of all, you must be sure that you have correctly identified wild garlic.
Next, all parts of wild garlic are edible. (leaves, stem, bud/flower)
You can use wild garlic in different ways:
- Make a wild garlic pesto.
- Dry the wild garlic (at 113°C for 4 hours) and grind it to powder to store it and use it later.
Wild Garlic Benefits
Wild garlic is a superfood. It has purifying properties. This plant helps reduce cholesterol and blood pressure.
Wild garlic increases the amount of perspiration, increases the amount of urine and thins the mucus.
It is therefore an excellent detox food in addition to being an excellent condiment for your culinary preparations.
Where Does Wild Garlic Grow?
Can You Find Wild Garlic In The United States?
Yes, you can find wild garlic all over the United States!
Calcareous Soil
Wild garlic grows in the undergrowth on neutral to calcareous soil. Thus, we recommend that you avoid acid forests where you will come across many acid-loving plants such as ferns or heather. In addition, a slightly sandy soil with little clay seems to be ideal for finding wild garlic.
Humid Climate
You can pick wild garlic in damp, slightly shaded areas. It is quite common to find wild garlic on river banks or in forests with a fairly humid atmosphere.
Average Elevation
Furthermore, wild garlic can be harvested from 1640 ft up to 5250 ft elevation. Of course, you can find it at lower or higher elevation.
For the record, it is a plant that is highly sought after by morel hunters! It is an excellent clue to find these!
When Do Wild Garlic Grow?
Wild garlic should be harvested at its bud stage. Thus, the best time to pick it is mid-April.
Find Mushrooms With Our Maps!
We offer interactive Mushroom Maps on our website to learn how to find morels and other mushrooms in your state! Have a look! Access our Mushroom Maps here!
With the most favorable areas for morels, you can also easily find wild garlic… You’ll kill two birds with one stone!
Have fun!
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