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Fall
Foraging around Montreal
AI field guide · refreshed weeklyEarly Fall Foraging in Montreal: September Harvests
In season now
Wild grapes (Vitis riparia, V. labrusca)
Where: Fence lines, hedgerows, and disturbed edges throughout the island and surrounding areas
Dark purple or black clusters ripen now; taste tart and seedy but excellent for juice, jelly, or wine. Pick bunches when fully dark.
Look-alikes: Pokeweed berries ripen similarly but are larger, in drooping clusters, and highly toxic—avoid any berries on herbaceous (non-woody) plants.
Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)
Where: Hedgerows, roadsides, and disturbed areas; invasive but abundant
Speckled red berries with papery sepals at the tip; tart and high in lycopene. Eat fresh or blend into smoothies; seeds are hard.
Look-alikes: No dangerous look-alikes; the distinctive speckled appearance and papery calyx are unique.
Wild apples (Malus sylvestris, feral cultivars)
Where: Old orchards, abandoned homesteads, and field margins
Small, hard, often tart apples ripen late September. Use for cider, sauce, or pectin-rich jelly; rarely eaten raw.
Look-alikes: No toxic look-alikes; any small apple-like fruit on a woody tree with apple-shaped leaves is safe to taste.
Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina)
Where: Disturbed roadsides, field edges, and sunny slopes throughout the region
Fuzzy red berry clusters (drupes) are tart and citrusy; soak in cold water to make 'sumac-ade' or dry for spice. Harvest before rain washes away the tart coating.
Look-alikes: Poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix) has white or cream berries in loose clusters and smooth (not fuzzy) red stems—never touch it.
Highbush cranberry (Viburnum opulus)
Where: Moist thickets, wetland margins, and disturbed areas
Bright red translucent berries persist into fall; tart and gelatinous, best used in jelly or sauce after a frost. Avoid the large central seed.
Look-alikes: Guelder rose (same species, ornamental form) is identical and edible; no toxic look-alikes.
Jewelweed seeds (Impatiens capensis, I. pallida)
Where: Moist shaded areas, stream banks, and disturbed wet ground
Green seed pods explode when ripe (late September); seeds are nutty and crunchy, eaten raw or lightly roasted. Collect pods just before they burst.
Look-alikes: No dangerous look-alikes; the distinctive explosive pods are unique.
Coming soon
Black walnuts (Juglans nigra)
Large green husks fall in late September through October; crack open to extract the hard-shelled nut. Wear gloves—the husk stains permanently.
Acorns (Quercus spp.)
Red oak and white oak acorns drop in October; white oak acorns are less bitter and can be eaten with minimal leaching. Collect sound nuts only.
Wintergreen berries (Gaultheria procumbens)
Bright red berries persist under snow; minty and sweet. Harvest in late fall or early winter for best flavor.
Safety in this area
- Ticks are active through September—wear long sleeves and pants, tuck pants into socks, and check skin thoroughly after foraging. Lyme disease is present in Quebec.
- Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) grows in disturbed areas and along hedgerows; it has three leaflets and white berries. Learn to recognize it and avoid contact.
- Giant hogweed is not yet widespread in Montreal but is present in southern Quebec—avoid any tall (1–2 m) umbellifers with huge leaves and blistering sap.
- Always forage on public land or with explicit permission; much of the Montreal area is private property. Provincial parks and green spaces permit foraging for personal use; check local bylaws.
Foraging information is educational. Confirm every identification with a regional field guide or expert before eating anything wild.
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