I am showing my children the ways they can find food that costs nothing - it proves it doesn't all come from Asda in a plastic bag and gives them an idea of seasons. Have done ok so far but don't know where to find edible chestnuts. Any ideas? I live in the northwest on the Oldham Yorkshire border.

Well done, big round of applause for you, I'm a great believer in teaching children about the "real" side of food, and in getting free grub wherever possible!

I have a feeling that there might not be many sweet chestnuts that far north, but I'm sure someone will come along with better information soon.

One very small word of caution, I'd also teach them not to eat anything unless it's on a plate, (unless they've shown it to you, or unless they are in their late teens or older) just in case.......

Hi Carmen

I doubt if you'll find chestnuts in Oldham. I'm in Withnell, near
Chorley and we don't have any here - it's too cold and damp. Sandy
soils allow them to grow further north (maybe they have them growing
wild in the Formby/St Helens area?) but the furthest north I've seen
chestnuts growing so far this year was in the Sherwood Forest area.

You should find hazelnuts in abundance in any woodlands round your way,
though I think the season's pretty much over, now.

Gill.


carmen Walton wrote:

I am showing my children the ways they can find food that costs nothing
- it proves it doesn't all come from Asda in a plastic bag and gives
them an idea of seasons. Have done ok so far but don't know where to
find edible chestnuts. Any ideas? I live in the northwest on the Oldham
Yorkshire border.




--
carmen Walton