16 pairs of stunningly stylish pyjama sets that you’ll want to wear all day long
16 pairs of stunningly stylish pyjama sets that you’ll want to wear all day long

Sarah Gill

Sous Chef at Dubh Cafe & Restaurant Laura Farrell on her affinity with all things foodie
Sous Chef at Dubh Cafe & Restaurant Laura Farrell on her affinity with all things...

Sarah Gill

Six IMAGE staffers on their go-to self-care rituals
Six IMAGE staffers on their go-to self-care rituals

Sarah Gill

This spatchcock chicken recipe will make your weekend
This spatchcock chicken recipe will make your weekend

Meg Walker

Loot: The Dublin concept store on how to shop vintage in Ireland
Loot: The Dublin concept store on how to shop vintage in Ireland

Katie-Ruby Robinson

Five binge-worthy miniseries to stream this weekend
Five binge-worthy miniseries to stream this weekend

Sarah Gill

8 inspiring quotes from the IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2022
8 inspiring quotes from the IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2022

IMAGE

I went behind the scenes of the ‘Derry Girls’ season 3 premiere
I went behind the scenes of the ‘Derry Girls’ season 3 premiere

Sarah Finnan

Tried & Tested: An honest review of a wardrobe detox (from a self-confessed clothes hoarder)
Tried & Tested: An honest review of a wardrobe detox (from a self-confessed clothes hoarder)

Sarah Finnan

Forget Bieber v Gomez, we should be lifting women up, not tearing them down
Forget Bieber v Gomez, we should be lifting women up, not tearing them down

Sarah Finnan

Image / Editorial

If You Go To The Woods Today


By Bill O'Sullivan
27th May 2014
If You Go To The Woods Today

Elderflower

blank
blank
blank
blank
blankSee More Photos
The hedgerows blossom as June approaches

June is elderflower season. In Ireland especially it comes dripping off the bushes in June, enticingly easy to pick and transform into anything from a cordial to a cocktail, a tabletop decoration or even a garnish. This time of year is in fact when the hedgerows come alive, with many herbs and fruits ripe for picking and foraging. So as the June bank holiday approaches with predictions for mild weather, and a distinct lack of scattered showers, we take a look at the top seasonal herbs, vegetables and fruits you may stumble across if you’re skipping town for some countryside comfort this weekend.

– Elderflower grows very well in wet or dry areas. The flowers are what you’re going for, the buds particularly for their honey-sweet flavour. Right now is the perfect time to pick them, so get loads as they will be gone shortly.

– Gooseberries are a plague for many; these literally grow in most people’s gardens and most hedgerows in this country. Tart and sour, they are excellent as a fool with ice-cream and a bit of brown sugar. The best ones are the early ones which retain their bitterness.

– Wild Fennel grows in abundance in the month of June and anywhere and everywhere, from near the sea to off the sides of the motorway. Picking wild fennel now means that you are picking it with the fennel pollen still intact, before it turns into seeds. The seeds are the most delicious part. Don’t take a whole plant, take only fronds.

– Wild Garlic grows plentifully in May and is excellent with scrambled eggs or in pesto. Very potent and absolutely everywhere!

– Wild Asparagus is one of the more amazing things this time of year, particularly served with some variety of home-made mayonnaise. It grows in well-watered areas that aren’t water-logged. However, it’s surprisingly difficult to spot.

Luckily, there are a good few of these handy videos to help you along your hedgerow picking way!

Roisin Agnew @Roxeenna