Emily Johnson
Mushroom foraging season is highly dependent on the weather and specific mushroom species, as they each have their preferred timing. While some species are cultivated and can be harvested all year round, like oyster mushrooms, the season for others, like chanterelles, is more variable. Chanterelles, for instance, thrive in hot, humid, and damp weather, and their season usually starts in the fall and winter, but they can also grow in the summer and spring. Morel mushrooms, on the other hand, are the first to appear in the wild in spring, and they are highly prized for their nutty flavor.
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What You'll Learn
The best time to forage for mushrooms
In general, most mushrooms appear in spring, summer, and fall. For example, morel mushrooms are the first to appear in the wild in spring. They are found at the base of ash, elm, aspen, poplar, cottonwood, or apple trees. Black morels are reddish-brown to yellow in colour, while the interior of the fake morel is not hollow. The elegant golden chanterelle mushrooms are also harvested in the late summer through December in North America. They are found in coniferous forests with evergreen trees exposed to long winters.
In the summer, meadow mushrooms are ripe for harvesting after a good rain. They have a white cap and pink gills. Fairy ring mushrooms are also harvested in the summer and fall and can grow year-round in warm climates. They are typically found on lawns and grass and are distributed throughout North America.
In the fall, oyster mushrooms can be found in subtropical and temperate forests like California and other parts of North America. Chanterelle mushrooms also grow in the fall, especially after a late-October heat wave. Chicken of the Woods is another mushroom that can be found from late spring through fall.
In the winter, chanterelle mushrooms can still be found in some regions, especially in areas with a coastal fog drip. In mild winters, mushrooms can be found as late as January and February, and with rainy periods, some mushroom seasons can continue all year.
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How weather impacts mushroom growth
The weather and climate significantly impact mushroom growth. Mushrooms are delicate and temperamental crops with specific requirements to thrive. The ideal temperature range for mushroom growth varies depending on the species, but most mushrooms prefer a temperature range between 65-75 °F. Maintaining a consistent temperature is crucial, as even small fluctuations can impact the growth rate and quality of the mushrooms. For outdoor growing, the ideal time to plant mushrooms is when daytime temperatures reach 40 °F or higher consistently. For growers in warmer climates, this may mean planting throughout most of the year, whereas growers in cooler climates should plant in spring or early summer to speed up the time from planting to picking. Spring is generally the best time to plant mushroom logs, as it is best to cut logs during the dormant season before the buds swell.
The weather can also impact the length of the growing season. Most mushrooms go dormant during the cold winter months and begin growing again the following spring. In mild winters, mushrooms can still be found in January and February, and with the possible exception of March, some mushroom seasons can continue all year. This is often due to rain, which encourages mushroom growth, especially if it is autumn rain.
In addition to temperature, other climatic factors such as humidity, oxygen levels, and light exposure also play a crucial role in mushroom growth. Mushrooms require high humidity levels, typically around 85-95% relative humidity, to grow properly. Oxygen levels above 15% are necessary for robust mushroom production. Lighting cues help trigger fruiting in some species, with some mushrooms requiring darkness while others need 12 hours of light to fruit properly.
The substrate, or growing medium, is another critical factor in mushroom growth. The substrate must be pasteurized or sterilized to remove contaminants, and the pH level should be slightly acidic, between 6 and 7, though this can vary by species. The substrate must stay evenly moist, but not soaked, to support full colonization and pinning.
Overall, a thorough understanding of the mushroom life cycle and the particular needs of various mushroom species is necessary for successful mushroom cultivation.
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The best mushrooms to pick in spring
Spring is a great time to go mushroom foraging, with several varieties of edible mushrooms sprouting up in the wild. Here are some of the best mushrooms to pick in spring:
Morels
Morels (Morchella spp.) are one of the most celebrated mushrooms in North America. They are highly prized for their distinct, meaty texture and earthy, toasted flavour. They are also packed with nourishment, containing significant amounts of copper, vitamin D, zinc, and other vitamins and minerals. Morels are usually found in wooded areas in North America and Europe, growing under hardwoods and conifer trees, or nestled around garden edges, wood chips, or compost. They have a ribbed, honeycomb-like exterior and a hollow, white interior. They grow from as early as late April until the middle of June and are the first mushrooms to appear in the wild in spring. Black morels, a variety of morel, can be found at the base of an ash, elm, aspen, poplar, cottonwood, or apple tree. However, it is important to be cautious when hunting morels as there are several morel look-alikes that are highly toxic. These fake morels are reddish-brown to yellow in colour, with a cap that hangs to the side, and are not hollow on the inside.
Oysters
Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) are one of the most commonly cultivated mushrooms, but they also grow naturally on and near trees in temperate and subtropical forests worldwide, especially during the spring season. They have a mild texture and fan-shaped caps with gills on the underside. Oyster mushrooms are versatile in the kitchen, commonly used in a variety of cuisines, especially oriental recipes. They can be sautéed, stir-fried, braised, or grilled. Oyster mushrooms grow in huge numbers when conditions are favourable, and they are often found on aspen trees. They are best when picked young and bug-free.
Shaggy Manes
Shaggy manes are one of the most common wild mushrooms in North America. They grow well in high-traffic areas such as bike paths, backyards, ditches, parks, and game trails. They appear after rain and will grow all year long. Shaggy manes should be harvested when they are completely white. If they start to "melt" and get a black goo around the cap, they won't taste very good. They are great for serving on burgers, steaks, or in pasta.
Puffballs
Puffballs are one of the easiest mushrooms to spot in the woods due to their large size. They grow in disturbed areas, open pastures, and dense forests. They are best picked early in the spring and summer. To check if a puffball is good to eat, cut it open; if the flesh is all white, it is perfect, but any yellow, brown, or purple colour indicates it is too old. Puffballs are often called the "breakfast mushroom" as they pair well with omelettes.
Spring Kings
Also known as Spring King Boletes or spring porcini, these mushrooms are usually available in May and June in Western North America and on the West Coast, growing near fir or pine trees and in areas with moderate moisture, such as the Cascade Mountain Range or the Sierra Nevada mountains. They are robust and have thick, fleshy caps with a sponge-like surface instead of gills. The cap is typically pink and brown and darkens as the mushroom matures.
Springtime Amanitas
These mushrooms are endemic to the West Coast and can be found growing near oak trees in the spring. Amanita rubescens (edible) and A. ocreata (deadly poisonous) are related amanitas that can be found in the same habitat from winter into spring.
It is important to note that mushroom foraging can be dangerous if you are unsure of what you are picking. Always consult a local foraging group or online resource to familiarise yourself with the specific characteristics of edible mushroom types and how to identify and safely collect them.
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The best mushrooms to pick in fall
While mushrooms can be foraged all year round, the autumn months are one of the best times to harvest wild mushrooms, as cooling temperatures bring out many choice edible and medicinal mushroom species.
If you're a beginner, it's important to note that you should only pick a mushroom if you're 100% certain of its species. It's also important to avoid foraging in or near polluted areas, and to cook mushrooms thoroughly before eating them.
Chicken of the Woods
This mushroom is usually found in summer, but it often sticks around until fall. It grows on hardwood host trees, especially oaks. You can identify it by its vibrant orange and yellow shelves, soft and succulent texture, and faint smell of lemon. It's a great substitute for chicken in recipes, although some say its taste is closer to lobster.
Hen of the Woods
Also known as the Maitake mushroom, this fungus is prized for its rich, earthy flavour and health benefits. It grows at the base of trees, particularly oaks, maples, and beeches. Look for a cluster of grey, brown, or tan caps with white or brown stems.
Matsutake
The Matsutake mushroom is another prized fall fungus, with a spicy, cinnamon-like aroma and a flavour that's been described as sweet, nutty, and woody. It tends to grow near pine trees, often in sandy soil.
Oyster Mushrooms
Oyster mushrooms can be found growing wild all over the world, and they're not picky about the season. However, they tend to peak in autumn. You can find them growing on deciduous hardwoods, and they're known for their meaty texture and savoury flavour.
Lion's Mane
This mushroom is known for its dangling and flexible white spines, which give it a shellfish flavour. Look for it in deciduous forests, particularly on the trunks of dead and dying oaks and beeches.
Chanterelle
Elegant golden chanterelles grow and are harvested in late summer through December in North America. They're typically found in coniferous forests populated with evergreen trees that are exposed to long winters. They have a fruity, woody, or earthy smell, and a peppery taste.
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How to identify mushrooms
While there is no fixed start or finish to mushroom foraging, as different species thrive in different seasons, there are some key pointers to help identify mushrooms.
Firstly, it is important to remember that mushroom identification takes practice, and it is not simply a matter of colour and size. It is crucial to consult local knowledge, either through a foraging group or online resources, to familiarise yourself with the edible mushrooms in your region.
When identifying mushrooms, it is important to look at the gills. Some mushrooms have gills, while others have folds or "false gills", or even small "teeth" or spines, instead of gills. The colour of the gills is also important, as they can be white, yellow, or orange. The shape of the cap is another distinguishing feature, as some caps are vase-shaped, while others are flat or slightly upturned. The colour of the cap can vary, with some being orange-yellow, white, or red. The stem is another important feature, as some mushrooms have no stem, while others have a white stem with no ring. The presence or absence of a bulb or ring on the stem can also help identify the mushroom.
The habitat of the mushroom is also a clue to its identity. For example, the elegant golden chanterelle grows in coniferous forests with evergreen trees, while the northern tooth mushroom grows on dying maple trees. The time of year can also be a factor, as some mushrooms, like morels, are the first to appear in the wild in spring, while chanterelles are harvested in late summer through December.
Lastly, some mushrooms have a distinctive smell or taste that can aid in identification. Chanterelles, for example, have a fruity, woody, or earthy smell and a peppery taste. It is important to note that there are toxic look-alikes to many mushrooms, so accurate identification is crucial before consuming any foraged mushrooms.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushroom picking can be done in the spring, summer, fall, and even in the middle of winter. However, this depends on the type of mushrooms you want to forage and their location.
Mushrooms that can be picked in the spring include morels, shiitake, oyster, porcini, slippery jack, chanterelles, and fairy ring mushrooms.
Mushrooms that can be picked in the summer include chanterelles, porcini, slippery jack, morels, and fairy ring mushrooms.
Mushrooms that can be picked in the fall include oyster, porcini, slippery jack, chanterelles, black trumpets, hedgehog mushrooms, milky agarics, grey agarics, and caesar's mushrooms.
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