Emily Johnson
The appearance of mushrooms depends on several factors, including the species, climate, temperature, humidity, and moisture. Mushrooms can be grown indoors or outdoors, with outdoor growing being more dependent on natural factors and seasons. In warmer climates, mushrooms can be planted throughout the year, while cooler climates are ideal for planting in spring or early summer. The type of mushroom also influences its growth, as some varieties, like Shiitake, Lion's Mane, and Comb Tooth, take longer to produce their first mushrooms. Foraging for mushrooms is popular after heavy rainfall, and certain species like Chanterelles, Morels, and Maitake are known to fruit in specific seasons.
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What You'll Learn
- The best time to hunt for mushrooms in Canada is between May and October
- In the US, mushroom season peaks between August and December
- Mushrooms grow from spores or tissue culture
- Outdoor growing depends on the seasons, temperature, humidity, and moisture
- Common varieties of mushrooms and when to find them: Shaggy Mane, Maitake, Lion's Mane, Shiitake, Oyster, Wine Cap, Chanterelle, Morels
The best time to hunt for mushrooms in Canada is between May and October
The timing of mushroom growth depends on the species. For example, the shaggy mane (Coprinus comatus) mushroom, known for its distinctive appearance, is best foraged in June through November. It grows in grasslands and meadows and is easily recognisable by its elongated, cylindrical caps covered in shaggy, white to greyish-brown scales. Fairy ring mushrooms (Marasmius oreades), commonly seen in lawns and grass, are typically harvested in the summer and fall and can grow year-round in warm climates.
For beginner foragers, it is advisable to focus on mushrooms that are easy to identify and have no poisonous look-alikes. Chanterelles, with their bright orange or yellow trumpet shape, are a good option. They are typically found in forests near the base of trees and can be identified by their funnel-shaped caps, widely spaced gills, and firm stalks. Morels, Hedgehogs, and Puffballs are also recommended for novice foragers.
When heading out to forage for mushrooms, it is essential to come prepared. A mushroom identification guidebook, a basket or mesh bag, a pocket knife or scissors, and gloves are all useful tools to have on hand. Additionally, it is important to be aware of the rules and regulations for the area you plan to forage in, as mushroom foraging is illegal in provincial and national parks in Canada.
By following these guidelines and choosing beginner-friendly mushrooms, you can safely enjoy the rewarding activity of mushroom hunting in Canada during the favourable months between May and October.
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In the US, mushroom season peaks between August and December
In the US, the appearance of mushrooms is dependent on several factors, including the species, climate, temperature, humidity, and moisture. While some mushrooms can be found throughout the year, the peak season for mushroom foraging in the country varies across regions.
In the Northeastern US, most edible mushrooms fruit between spring and fall (May to October), depending on adequate rainfall. This region experiences a temperate climate, with four distinct seasons, providing favourable conditions for mushrooms during the transitional months.
On the other hand, the Pacific Northwest boasts a peak mushroom season between August and December. This region's cooler and wetter climate creates an ideal environment for mushrooms to flourish in late summer and early winter.
The timing of mushroom growth also depends on the species. For instance, the shaggy mane (Coprinus comatus) is best foraged in North America from June through November. It grows in grasslands and meadows and resembles a dripping ice cream cone with its white wig and narrow stem. The maitake (Grifola frondosa), another species, is found at the base of oak trees in Northeastern North America. It matures in late summer and early fall after rainfall.
Additionally, the type of environment plays a role in mushroom growth. Some mushrooms, like the fairy ring mushrooms (Marasmius oreades), thrive in lawns and grass, while others, such as the meadow mushroom (Agaricus campestris), are found in grassland areas. The lion's mane (Genus Hericium), identified by its mop-like appearance, is typically discovered in the fall in North America.
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Mushrooms grow from spores or tissue culture
Mushrooms are a type of fungus that can grow from spores or tissue culture. They are neither plants nor animals, but unique organisms. While flowering plants grow from seeds, mushrooms grow from spores or tissue cloning. Mushrooms release thousands of spores into the environment, each carrying unique genetics. Growing mushrooms from spores can be unpredictable, as each spore is different from its "parent". Spores are similar to seeds in plants and can be dispersed by wind or other means. When a spore lands in a suitable environment, it can germinate and grow into a new organism, sending out a small filamentous thread called a hypha. The hypha branches out quickly, forming a network known as mycelium, which grows and gathers nutrients and water from its surroundings.
Mycelium is the vegetative, feeding stage of the mushroom's life cycle and can grow for years, even decades, in the right conditions. When the mycelium encounters another compatible mycelium, the two fuse and swap nuclei, forming a dikaryotic mycelium. This secondary mycelium continues to grow until it runs out of food or space, or there is a signal like heavy rainfall or a temperature change, prompting it to start fruiting. The mycelium then condenses into the earliest stage of mushrooms, called primordia, or "pins". With the right conditions, these primordia develop into fully formed mushrooms, completing the cycle.
Growing mushrooms from spores can be challenging, as it requires a bit of equipment and is more time-consuming, leaving more room for contamination to occur. Tissue cloning is often a more reliable method, yielding more predictable results. Mycelium is commonly used in mushroom cultivation because it is more efficient and reliable. It has already established a network of hyphae that can absorb nutrients and develop into fruiting bodies. Using mycelium also allows for the preservation and propagation of desired genetic traits, ensuring the resulting mushrooms have the desired characteristics.
The timing and location of mushroom growth depend on the species. For example, the shaggy mane (Coprinus comatus) grows in grasslands and meadows in North America and is best foraged between June and November. The maitake (Grifola frondosa) is found at the base of oak trees in China and Japan and has also been observed in Northeastern North America. It matures in late summer and early fall after rainfall. The lion's mane (Genus Hericium) is found in North America in the fall, and all the white parts are edible. Fairy ring mushrooms (Marasmius oreades) are typically harvested in the summer and fall and can grow year-round in warm climates. They are distributed throughout North America and are often identified by their long stems and tan or white caps, with well-spaced gills underneath.
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Outdoor growing depends on the seasons, temperature, humidity, and moisture
The ideal time to grow mushrooms outdoors depends on the seasons, temperature, humidity, and moisture. Mushrooms are a type of fungus that grows by feeding off decaying tree bark, and they can be grown outdoors in beds. The timing of growing mushrooms outdoors varies with the species of mushroom and the climate. Most mushroom varieties are perennial crops that can be planted throughout the growing season, as long as the daytime temperature is consistently 40°F or higher. In warmer climates, this means planting can be done throughout the year, while in cooler climates, it is best to plant in the spring or early summer to speed up the time from planting to picking.
For example, the shaggy mane (Coprinus comatus) grows in grasslands and meadows in North America and is best foraged from June through November. The maitake (Grifola frondosa) is found at the base of oak trees in China and Japan and has also been observed in Northeastern North America. It matures in late summer and early fall after a rain. The lion's mane (Genus Hericium) is found in the fall in North America, and all its white parts are edible.
The ideal time to plant mushroom logs is in the spring, as it is best to cut logs during the dormant season before the buds swell. Logs can be stored until the daytime temperature consistently reaches 40°F or higher, but they should not be stored into the warmer months. Planting in the spring allows more of the growing season for the mushroom to colonize the log, and most mushroom logs require a minimum of 5 months before they are capable of producing mushrooms. Spring-inoculated logs may be ready to fruit their first mushrooms as soon as fall, but if inoculated later in the year, logs are typically not ready to fruit until the following year.
The timing of mushroom growth is also influenced by changes in humidity, temperature, and moisture. Each species of mushroom has a particular preference. For example, in the temperate Northeastern US, most edible mushrooms fruit between spring and fall (May to October), depending on good rainfall. On the other hand, in the Pacific Northwest, the mushroom season peaks between August and December, though morels appear in late spring and early summer. Heavy rainfall is often a cue to go foraging for mushrooms.
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Common varieties of mushrooms and when to find them: Shaggy Mane, Maitake, Lion's Mane, Shiitake, Oyster, Wine Cap, Chanterelle, Morels
The appearance of mushrooms depends on their species. Here is a guide to some common varieties of mushrooms and when to find them:
Shaggy Mane
Shaggy Mane mushrooms (Coprinus comatus) are some of the most widely distributed mushrooms globally, found in most parts of North America and Europe and occurring in most other parts of the world. They are known to grow in human-influenced landscapes such as pastures, parks, roadsides, and trail sides. They are also famous for growing directly through asphalt and even lifting concrete slabs on sidewalks. Shaggy Mane mushrooms grow in late summer and fall, appearing directly out of the ground. They can be found in lawns, wood chip piles, rocky soil, or any patch of compacted and abused land. They are great for urban foragers since they tend to prefer compacted or degraded soils.
Maitake
Maitake mushrooms (Grifola frondosa) are found at the base of oak trees in China and Japan and have been observed in Northeastern North America. They can also be found growing from elm and maple trees. They are perennial and mature in late summer and early fall after a rain. In the US, they can be found from late summer through late fall, depending on the climate zone. In agricultural zone 7b, for instance, maitake mushrooms are found from late October through late November.
Lion's Mane
Lion's Mane mushrooms are found in the fall in North America. They are white and dense, with a flavor likened to seafood. They are easy to identify as they have no look-alikes, and their appearance is quite striking, making them hard to miss in the woods. They grow on hardwood trees, earning their common name from the long white spines (or teeth) that cover the fruiting body, resembling a head full of hair. They fruit from the same location year after year, sometimes on the same dead tree for up to 20 years.
Shiitake
Shiitake mushrooms are native to Asia and are not found growing in the wild in North America or Europe. However, they are one of the most commonly grown mushrooms in the world, so they are easy to find in grocery stores or supermarkets, either fresh or dried. They are also cultivated around the world and are traditionally grown outdoors on logs.
Oyster
Oyster mushrooms are usually found in mid-to-late fall, but there are early spring varieties as well, depending on the weather. They are one of the easiest mushrooms to grow, and they are easily cultivated. They are commonly found on deciduous hardwoods, especially beech and aspen trees, but they are also sometimes found on conifers. They may have a stubby, off-center stem if the mushroom is growing on the side of a log, and they are known to grow about 5 feet up on a tree that is still alive.
Wine Cap
Wine Cap mushrooms are flexible and will fruit in the spring through fall in temperate climates or when temperatures range from 50–70°F. They can be grown in a variety of environments, inoculated in the spring, and will fruit in the same season. They are often grown on wood chips or a blend of wood chips and sawdust, and they can also emerge from gardens or lawns unexpectedly.
Chanterelle
Chanterelle mushrooms are found in a variety of terrains, from shaded hillsides to beech forests to the edges of waterways. They are common across the globe, showing up in South America, Europe, Asia, Southern Africa, and Australia. They have a distinct appearance, growing to about 3–4 inches tall with an equal cap width. Their "gills" are forked and cross-veined, and they emit an intoxicating aroma of sweet apricot and citrus.
Morels
Morel mushrooms are considered a delicacy and are only available from late March through May, making them rare. They grow in woodsy areas across the United States but are harder to find in the Southwest and other typically dry regions. They thrive in moist, slightly cool conditions and tend to pop up through the topsoil after several spring rainstorms. They also tend to grow in areas that have been recently disturbed, such as after a forest fire or along lightly used trails.
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Frequently asked questions
Maitake mushrooms are found at the base of oak trees in China and Japan and have also been observed in Northeastern North America. They mature in the late summer and early fall after a rain.
Shaggy Mane mushrooms grow in grasslands and meadows in North America and are best foraged in June through November.
Lion's Mane mushrooms are found in the fall in North America.
If planted in the spring, the season may be long enough to provide the first Shiitake in the fall. However, it is not uncommon for Shiitake logs to take until the following year to produce their first mushrooms.
Fairy Ring mushrooms are typically harvested in the summer and fall and can grow year-round in warm climates.
