This sprawling estate is loaded with varied habitats chock full of wild plants, a great place for mid-spring foraging.

As soon as we get started, we'll dig up some tremendous burdock roots growing near the museum. These nutritious roots a staple in east Asian cuisine, taste like a combination of potatoes and artichokes.

Burdock Root

Burdock Root

These 3 tricks make this otherwise uncooperative root easy to harvest:

1. Look for this massive taproot growing on soft soil free of rocks.
2. Dig it up using a shovel.
3. Collect after rain has softened the soil.

Close by we'll find large stands of lamb's-quarters, a tasty, highly nutritious relative of spinach and beets. Strip off the leaves and use them like spinach.

Alongside a wooded trail, we'll find edibles that thrive in partially shaded habits, including greenbriar, wood sorrel, garlic mustard, field garlic, violets, bayberry bushes, sassafras, and black birch.

The woods could hide spring mushrooms such as wine-cap stropharias, dryad's saddle, chicken mushrooms, and even morels.

The 2-hour tour begins at 1 PM, Saturday, May 29, at 80 Whitehall Rd. in Litchfield, CT. The fee is $15 for nonmembers, $10 for members, and $5 for children under 12.

Call (860) 567-0857 at least 24 hours ahead sign up.