Michael Davis
Mushrooms are a versatile and nutritious food source that can be grown or foraged. The timing of their appearance depends on various factors, including the growing method (indoor vs. outdoor), climate, and mushroom variety. For outdoor cultivation, mushrooms typically go dormant during winter and resume growth in spring when temperatures reach 40°F or higher. Spring is generally the ideal time to plant mushroom logs, as it allows sufficient time for colonisation. Different mushroom varieties have specific fruiting times; for example, Shiitake logs may take 5-18 months, while Oyster mushrooms can fruit within 3-12 months. For foragers, certain mushrooms like Morels and Oysters signal the beginning of the foraging season in spring. Chanterelles are more likely to appear in late spring, summer, and early fall, favouring wet and humid conditions. Porcini and Lion's Mane mushrooms are associated with late summer and fall, thriving in cool weather.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ideal time to plant mushrooms | Depends on whether they are being grown indoors or outdoors |
| Indoor planting | Can be done year-round in a climate-controlled room |
| Outdoor planting | More dependent on the seasons; generally, the growing season starts when the daytime temperature reaches 40°F or higher |
| Mushroom varieties | Perennial crops |
| Ideal planting time for outdoor varieties | Spring or early summer |
| Planting time in cooler climates | At least 4 weeks before the first frost |
| Morels | Among the first to appear in spring |
| Chanterelles | Late spring, summer, and early fall |
| Porcini | Late summer and fall |
| Lobster mushrooms | Late summer |
| Lion's mane | Late summer and fall |
| Wine Cap | Capable of fruiting as soon as 2-3 months after planting |
| Shiitake | Logs typically begin fruiting 5-18 months after planting |
| Oyster | Logs typically fruit 3-12 months after planting |
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What You'll Learn
The best time to plant mushrooms outdoors
If you live in a warmer climate, you can plant mushrooms throughout most of the year, as long as the temperature is consistently above 40°F (4°C). For those in cooler climates, it is best to plant in the spring or early summer to speed up the time from planting to harvesting. If you live in a region with frosts and heavy winters, be sure to plant at least four weeks before the first frost.
Some specific types of mushrooms have different ideal planting times. For example, Shiitake mushrooms are typically planted in the spring, and they may fruit in the fall of the same year or the following year. Oyster mushrooms also typically fruit in the spring, but they can also fruit in early summer and fall. Wine Cap mushrooms can be grown in straw or wood chip beds, and they may fruit as soon as 2-3 months after planting, depending on the weather conditions.
It's important to note that mushrooms require moisture to grow, so it's best to plant them in a partially shaded area to maintain moisture levels. You can plant them under conifer trees, on the shady side of your house, or in areas with struggling grass that could benefit from mulching.
Mushrooms are fast-growing and can be ready to harvest within a few weeks to a few months, depending on the variety. With proper care, you can enjoy a continuous crop of mushrooms for up to six months.
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Mushrooms that grow in winter
While winter may not be the prime time for mushroom hunting, with many fungi halting their production of mushrooms or fruiting bodies in early autumn, there are still some mushrooms that you can find during this season. Here are some mushrooms that you can look out for during the colder months:
Lion's Mane Mushrooms
Lion's mane mushrooms are relatively easy to identify due to their unique, toothed "mane" appearance and stark white colour. They are typically found in late autumn and early winter before the snowfall, especially in colder regions like Vermont. They can be used as a seafood substitute in recipes and are also being studied for their potential medicinal benefits in treating Alzheimer's and dementia.
Wild Enoki Mushrooms
Wild enoki mushrooms have amber-brown caps that look wet and sticky, contrasting with the cultivated specimens that are grown to have pure white, elongated stems. They often sprout during cold weather, and you may spot them growing out of logs in the snow. While they can be tricky to identify due to their resemblance to other small brown mushrooms, they are considered among the tastiest edible winter mushrooms.
Chaga Mushrooms
Chaga mushrooms are medicinal and grow specifically on birch trees. They have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and are used for various medicinal purposes. They are best harvested during the winter months when the tree is dormant, which helps to prevent further damage to the tree.
Oyster Mushrooms
Certain species of oyster mushrooms, such as orange mock oyster mushrooms, can be found during the winter months. They have bright orange to orange-yellow, fan-shaped caps and a fuzzy surface, but they are not edible due to their sulfurous odour.
Velvet Foot and Jelly Ear Mushrooms
These soft-bodied mushrooms are edible and fruit from late autumn into early winter. Keep an eye out for them during the colder months!
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Spring and summer mushrooms
Spring and summer are great seasons for mushroom foraging. Many edible mushrooms pop up in the wild during these seasons, including the morel, chicken of the woods, pheasant back, wood ear, shaggy mane, and puffball mushrooms.
Morel Mushrooms
Morel mushrooms (Morchella punctipes and semilibera) are some of the most sought-after mushrooms in spring. They have a tasty flesh and a superior flavour compared to other mushrooms. They grow in mild temperatures and rain, often appearing a few days after precipitation in spring and fall. In rural areas, they may be called "peckerhead mushrooms". They can be found in a variety of locations, from open pastures to dense forests, but they often grow in disturbed areas similar to puffballs.
Chicken of the Woods
Chicken of the woods mushrooms (Laetiporus cincinnatus and Laetiporus sulphureus) are usually described as summer or fall mushrooms, but they can also be found in spring, especially in late May. They dependably fruit in late May and can be found on decaying oak stumps.
Pheasant Back Mushrooms
Pheasant back mushrooms, also known as dryad's saddles, are commonly found in spring. They grow on dying box elder and elm trees, often appearing around the same time as morels. They are edible and can be prepared in various dishes.
Wood Ear Mushrooms
Wood ear mushrooms are another type of spring, summer, and fall mushroom. They grow on sticks and downed logs after heavy rains. They are edible and add a nice texture to soups or ramen dishes.
Shaggy Mane Mushrooms
Shaggy mane mushrooms (Coprinus comatus) are edible and have a mild flavour. They appear in spring, summer, and fall, often in large numbers after heavy rains. They can be found in various locations, including the edges of woods, trails with compacted soil, and disturbed areas.
Puffball Mushrooms
Puffball mushrooms are easy to spot in the woods due to their distinctive appearance. They grow in spring and summer but are best picked early when the flesh is still white. They are versatile and can be sliced and grilled or used in omelets and tofu recipes.
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Mushroom foraging season
The timing of mushroom foraging season depends on the variety of mushroom and the local climate. Most mushrooms go dormant during winter and begin growing again in spring, but some varieties, like oyster mushrooms, can be found year-round.
Morels are among the first mushrooms to appear in spring, marking the beginning of foraging season for many mushroom hunters. They fruit when the weather is warm enough, starting in March or April in the Pacific Northwest and southern states, and mid-May or later in the Northeast.
Oyster mushrooms are cold-hardy and can often be found frozen on trees in early winter. They are good to harvest until they decay due to frequent freezing and thawing. Their fruiting time is highly variable, depending on the weather and the specific type of oyster mushroom. The most common oyster mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus, fruits from early spring through very early summer and then usually again in the fall.
Chanterelles like wet, humid, rainy weather, so they are most likely to occur in late spring, summer, and early fall. A very dry summer usually means low chanterelle numbers, but they may make a comeback if the weather improves. In the southeast US, chanterelles may appear from early spring through late summer, while in the Pacific Northwest, they typically show up in July or August.
Porcini, specifically the King Bolete variety, are late summer and fall mushrooms. Start looking for them in September and keep checking until December, especially in the Pacific Northwest.
Lobster mushrooms tend to be more abundant after a rainy period, but they can be hard to predict as their appearance depends on when their host mushrooms (Lactarius and Russula) fruit. Lobster mushroom season usually starts in late summer, and all Hericium species may appear in late summer but are more common in the fall.
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How to grow mushrooms at home
Mushrooms are packed with nutrition and can be easily grown at home. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to grow mushrooms at home.
Materials
You can grow mushrooms at home in a box, bucket, or on a log. You will need mushroom spawn, which is a living fungal culture (also called mycelium) that can be grown on a substrate. The spawn can be grown on a variety of substrates, including creating a mushroom patch outdoors, but the most common, especially for beginners, is sawdust along with wood chips. You can also use other materials such as kitty litter, cardboard boxes, grain, straw, or wood chips for nourishment.
Process
If you are using wood chips or straw, simply sprinkle the mushroom spawn throughout the growing medium and then wait. If you are using a log, you will need to drill holes all over the log, put the mushroom spawn into each hole, and then seal it over with some wax. The logs will need to stay damp. If it doesn’t rain at least once a week, it is recommended to put a sprinkler on them to keep them watered.
If you are using a box or bucket, mist the block three to four times a day with spring or well water, or collected rainwater. Keep the soil moist by spritzing it with water and covering it with a damp cloth, making sure that you keep spritzing the cloth as it dries.
Harvesting
Button mushrooms should appear within three to four weeks. Harvest them when the caps open, and the stalk can be cut with a sharp knife from the stem. Avoid pulling up the mushrooms, as you risk damaging the surrounding fungi that are still developing. Harvesting every day should result in a continuous crop for about six months.
Kits
If you don't want to start from scratch, you can buy mushroom growing kits. These kits provide a mushroom block filled with oat bran, sawdust, or other substrate materials that have been coated with mushroom spores. You can grow interesting mushroom varieties such as pink oyster, blue oyster, and lion's mane.
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Frequently asked questions
The ideal time to plant mushrooms outdoors depends on the climate. In warmer climates, planting can be done throughout most of the year. In cooler climates, it is best to plant in the spring or early summer to speed up the time from planting to picking. If you live in a region with frosty and heavy winters, plant at least four weeks before the first frost.
Oyster mushrooms are quite cold-hardy and can be seen frozen on trees in early winter. Chanterelles are likely to occur in late spring, summer, and early fall. Porcini are a late summer and fall mushroom. Lion's mane species are found in meadows, fields, and forests in late summer and fall. Morels are among the first to appear in spring and mark the beginning of the foraging season.
The time it takes for mushrooms to appear depends on the variety. For example, Wine Cap mushrooms may fruit as soon as 2-3 months after planting, while Shiitake logs typically fruit 5-18 months after planting.
