Get paid to get outdoors: The profitable side of foraging for elderflowers for Belvoir Farm in Peterborough

Belvoir Farm is a name synonymous with its gloriously refreshing and natural elderflower cordial.

But they rely on an army of local foragers and gatherers who bring in the harvest every year to make their delicious signature drink. Hundreds of local people take to the countryside every year to help gather in nature’s bounty.

And what better incentive for getting back to nature and improving your health and wellbeing with a glorious walk in the sunshine and fresh air, than by giving it an extra purpose and earning some pocket money?

The official start of the harvest this year is May 19 – and that’s when you can take the fruits – or rather flowers – of your labours to the drop off points to convert them into cash. All you need is a bin bag to put the flowers in, some strong footwear, gardening gloves and long trousers to protect you from the nettles and you’re good to go!

But before you grab a bag and head for the hedgerows, here’s all you need to know about turning your bounty into booty and some useful hints and tips on picking the cream of the crop.

Pick and be paid

Belvoir Farm pays £3.50 per kg, which equates to about £50 for a full 100l bin bag. Your harvest has to be the elderflower heads, not the stalks! And ensure you only are respectful of landowners and only collect on land where you have permission, and abide by the Countryside Code. The most they paid a single person last year was £5,000 – that’s a lot of flowers but a nice bonus! You have to be over 16 to pick and be paid – but that doesn’t mean the kids can’t join in the fun of a fabulous family walk.

Five picking hints

- All flowers to be elderflower – European Sambucus Nigra L for the experts!

- Fresh flower heads only – no stalk, leaves, twigs, buds or foreign bodies

- No brown flowers – only creamy white fresh heads with lots of lovely yellowy green pollen

- No off odours – they should smell green-grassy, citrusy and floral

Drop off points

Belvoir Farm, Barkestone Lane, Bottesford, NG13 ODH (Monday to Saturday 2pm to 6pm) or Sacrewell Farm, Thornhaugh, Peterborough, PE8 6HJ (Monday to Saturday 2.30 – 5pm)

More information

To find out more about the harvest, make sure you identify the right flowers, information on the countryside code and health and safety visit the website here.