November Foraging in the Pacific Northwest: Mushrooms, Medicinals & Winter Crafting Finds

November marks the quiet descent into winter, but the Pacific Northwest still offers a surprising amount of abundance. With the forest damp, cool, and rich with leaf litter, this month is prime time for late-season mushrooms, herbal preparations, and natural crafting materials.

Mushrooms & Fungi

November is a mushroom lover’s month. As long as the temperatures stay above freezing, you can still find:

• Chanterelles lingering in mossy forests
• Oyster mushrooms flourishing on fallen logs
• Lion’s mane, a prized medicinal mushroom
• Turkey tail, ideal for drying into tea
• Wood ears, perfect for soups and stir-fries

Always double-check your IDs and forage sustainably. Carry a mesh bag to spread spores. Msurhooms taste best after rain and before frosty nights.

Late Greens & Edibles

Cool-weather greens shine now. Miner’s lettuce, chickweed, and young dandelion greens appear fresh and vibrant after autumn rains. Pine needles are also at their best for making aromatic teas rich in vitamin C.

Medicinal Plants

This month is the perfect time to stock your herbal pantry for winter. Harvest:

• Rose hips for vitamin C–rich syrups

• Mullein leaves for respiratory teas

• Yarrow (last call!)

• Oregon grape root for tinctures

• Cottonwood buds beginning to swell—ideal for Balm of Gilead

These plant allies offer support during the colder, darker months.

Wild Berries & Fruits

Although many fruits have vanished by November, the last of the hawthorn berries, wild cranberries, and late crabapples can still be found. They bring tart, bright flavours to winter cooking and herbal preparations. Make sure to leave some berries and buds for wildlife!

Crafting & Natural Decor

November is wonderful for collecting materials for holiday décor, altars, photo props, or winter crafts:

• Pinecones, moss, lichen-covered branches
• Seed pods and dried grasses
• Naturally shed bark
• Small twigs and woodland textures

These simple foraged pieces add warmth and authenticity to winter projects. Think wreathes, table centrepieces, and garlands.

Closing Thoughts

November may seem quiet, but the forest is still busy. From mushrooms to medicinals to winter craft supplies, this month invites you to slow down, look closely, and gather mindfully.