Are you tired of your grocery store produce? Ready to take a step back in time and get down with nature? Well, if so, you’re going to need the right guidebooks. Here are my picks for the best foraging books around, helping you find wild edible plants that will make your meals truly extraordinary.
So grab a basket (classic) and let’s go on an adventure!
What Are The Best Foraging Books?
Not all books are created equal, and some can be downright dangerous because they can provide outdated knowledge. However, with the right books and a foraging course, you can become an expert forager in no time.
Here’s my list of the top books to help you on your foraging journey:
1. Field Guide To Edible Wild Plants (Only Guidebook You’ll Ever Need)
Overview
Welp, I updated this article right when this book was released in late 2023 for one reason; This book is the MOST in-depth guidebook I’ve ever seen.
Written by Samuel Thayer, an expert in the field of wild edibles, this book is the culmination of his life’s work all put into one book. It’s just spectacular, to be honest.
This book features over 700 edible plants and many poisonous plants as well. It gives you detailed colored maps to show the range of each plant/tree as well. This is just the surface of what the book goes over. It speaks on identifying the plants, harvesting and prepping them, and even preserving some of them.
Key Features
- Over 700 Edible Plants Covered
- High-Quality Printed Book
- Culmination Of Life’s Work
- Photos Of Every Plant/Tree
- Detailed Range Map For Each Plant
Pricing
My Take
Hands down this is the most beneficial plant guidebook I’ve ever seen. It’s truly probably the only edible plant book you need for a lifetime of foraging.
2. The Forager’s Harvest
Overview
Are you looking for the best foraging books? Well, my personal favorite is The Foragers Harvest. This book provides a comprehensive guide to finding, harvesting, and utilizing wild edible plants.
Written by Samuel Thayer, an expert in the field of wild edibles, this book is perfect for anyone looking to explore the world of foraging. With detailed instructions and clear illustrations, you’ll be able to identify and use dozens of delicious wild plants that range around North America.
I have yet to find a guide more detailed than Samuel Thayer’s writings (you will see his others below).
Key Features
- Over 200 Colored Images
- Quality Printed Book
- Over 200,000 Copies Sold
- Covers 32 Plants
- How To Store Wild Foods
Pricing
My Take
This book is my (old) favorite front-country study guide. It is a larger book so not a field guide but the details are superb. If you want to learn more about wild edible plants and gain a deeper understanding of foraging, this is the perfect book for you.
3. Natures Garden
Overview
Nature’s Garden is another one by Samuel Thayer and is a must-have addition to the book above. This book also provides an extensive guide to finding, harvesting, and utilizing these natural resources.
This book covers 41 plants across North America with detailed instructions and clear illustrations (the clearest descriptions I can find).
Key Features
- 41 Wild Plants Discussed
- 512 Pages Of Information (This Book Is A Baheamoth Of Information)
- 2nd In Series (1st Is Above)
Pricing
My Take
In my opinion, Nature’s Garden and Forager’s Harvest are both essential for everyone interested in wild food. They both provide high-quality detailed plant identification and foraging knowledge.
I love using Nature’s Garden as a reference when I’m out in the field because the information is reliable, detailed, and most importantly accurate.
4. Incredible Wild Edibles
Overview
Okay, so here is another book written by Samuel Thayer. If you have read his books on foraging, then you will know that they are wonderful books. If you are going to start foraging, I would start with Samuel Thayer.
This book provides an extensive guide to finding, harvesting, and utilizing wild edible plants across North America.
It focuses on North America as a whole and features edible plants from the pacific northwest, to the Midwest and beyond. So from the far north to the far south, this foraging book is an excellent resource.
Key Features
- No Overlap Of Authors Previous Foraging Books
- 478 Pages Of Full Color
- Extensive Range
Pricing
My Take
If you ask me, you already know what I am going to say. I am significantly impressed by Samuel Thayer and his foraging books. If you have ever foraged food, you know how challenging it is.
Well if you are like me and don’t want to die from poisonous plants, Samuel creates the great resource we all need.
5. Edible Wild Plants
Overview
This essential field guide, which has been successful in past editions, has updated its cover and now includes almost 400 color photographs and comprehensive details on over 200 types of edible plants found throughout North America.
Enthusiasts can easily locate and identify their desired ingredients as the plants have been categorized by season. Each entry provides information on the plant’s habitat, physical properties, harvesting, preparation, and poisonous look-alikes along with pictures. The introduction includes delicious recipes and a seasonal key for each plant.
Key Features
- Color Photos
- 200+ Plants
- Categorized By Seasons
Pricing
6. The Complete Guide To Edible Wild Plants
Overview
The official US Army guide to edible plants is now available for purchase by outdoorsmen and survivalists. It is a valuable resource for anyone who may be stranded or camping in the wilderness or who wants to learn about edible plants in their backyard.
The ability to identify wild plants is crucial for survival in outdoor situations where there may be no other food sources. This is a well-known fact among experienced outdoor enthusiasts. For me, it is one of my favorite outdoor skills to master.
The book contains over one hundred color photos that greatly aid in distinguishing between poisonous and edible plants.
Key Features
- Army Guide To Edible Plants
- Colored Images
Pricing
My Take
Although certainly a contestant for the best foraging book, I don’t find it to be too detailed to the extent as some of the others on this list.
7. The Foraging Bible
Overview
This is an excellent book for beginners (and the experienced) and it features all wild foods from edible mushrooms, edible weeds, and common medicinal plants. One of the cool things is that it also comes with
Key Features
- Each Plant Has An Interactive QR Code To Scan For Better Photos
- Easy And Helpful For Beginners
Pricing
8. Edible Wild Plants in Eastern/Central North American
Overview
The book “A Peterson Field Guide To Edible Wild Plants” provides information on over 370 wild plants that can be eaten and 37 plants that look similar but are poisonous.
The book also includes 400 drawings and 78 color photographs to help identify each plant. Additionally, the book provides details on the habitat of each plant, when they are in season and instructions on how to prepare them for 22 different food uses.
Peterson Field Guides have been the standard in the field guide industry for over 85 years, however, I’ll admit that Sam Thayers guidebook (#1 on the list) has now taken the top spot without a doubt. They are comprehensive and authoritative, making them necessary for any outdoorsman’s collection.
Key Features
- Has Been Around For A Long Time
- 370 Wild Edibles Discussed
- Industry Standard Field Guide
Pricing
My Take
This book has undergone testing, from backyard foraging to foraging expeditions. I strongly recommend it as an essential guide to wild foods that everyone should possess.
What Makes The Best Foraging Book?
If you are curious about foraging wild foods, not all books on the topic are made equal. Here are a few things I look for when selecting the best foraging books.
- Has Both Uncommon And Common Edible Plants
- In-Depth On How To Safely Identify Plants
- Colored, Detailed Photos
Conclusion
The best foraging books should include both uncommon and common edible plants, have in-depth information on how to safely identify them, and feature colored and detailed photos.
With this knowledge in mind, you can confidently choose the right book that will help you become a successful wild food forager.
Whether you are just starting out or an experienced outdoorsman looking to expand your skillset, these top-rated foraging books offer guidance on everything from identification techniques to delicious recipes made with ingredients found in nature.
With the right tools and knowledge about what constitutes a good foraging guidebook, I believe you will be able to find exactly what you are looking for.
Just remember one slightly important tip.. don’t eat it unless you can identify it!
Good luck and stay safe.
Other Resources:
SEEK: Seek is a remarkable app that I often use to recognize plants from all around the world. Its precision and accuracy never cease to amaze me, plus it works seamlessly without any cell service. This feature alone makes Seek such an indispensable tool for any wilderness travel.
Thanks for checking out my guide on the best foraging books!
Here are a few more related articles:
- White Pine Uses: Medicinal, Edible, And Practical
- Oak Tree Uses: America’s Most Useful Tree
- Wild Edible Plants In Ohio: A Comprehensive Guide Of 15+ Plants
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. If you have any questions about the companies or my status as an affiliate, please don’t hesitate to e-mail me.
Hey there! My name is Tanner and I specialize in outdoor survival, bushcraft, expeditions and adventure travel.
