Emily Johnson
The best time to harvest mushrooms depends on the variety, growing method, and environmental conditions. For instance, oyster mushrooms are typically harvested when the caps turn from convex to concave, while shiitake mushrooms grown on logs may take up to a year or more to produce their first harvest. Morel mushrooms, on the other hand, are among the first wild mushrooms to appear in the spring. When growing mushrooms indoors, it is crucial to harvest on time to maximize yield and maintain potency. Careful observation of the veil, which covers the gills under the cap, is essential for determining the optimal harvest time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushroom type | Shiitake, Oyster, Lion's Mane, Comb Tooth, Chestnut, Morel, Chanterelle, Fairy Ring, Meadow, Giant Puffball |
| Mushroom growing conditions | Indoor or outdoor |
| Outdoor growing conditions | Dependent on seasons and climate |
| Outdoor planting time | Spring or early summer in cooler climates; throughout the year in warmer climates |
| Indoor planting time | Year-round |
| Harvesting time | 1-2 weeks after pinning; when caps turn from convex to concave; when the veil darkens and begins to sag |
| Harvesting method | Twisting at the base of the stem; cutting |
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What You'll Learn
Harvesting magic mushrooms
Timing is Critical
The ideal harvest time for magic mushrooms is just before the veil breaks. The veil is located on the underside of the cap, covering the gills. When juvenile, the veil is usually grey-white and fleshy. As the mushroom matures, the veil darkens and begins to sag. Once it tears, the veil drops down the stem and detaches from the cap, revealing the gills. Harvesting just before this point ensures maximum potency and quality.
Selective Harvesting
Not all mushrooms will mature simultaneously, so selective harvesting is important. Pick only the mushrooms that are ready and allow the others to continue growing. If most are ready but a few need more time, it's better to harvest them all to start the next flush.
Hygiene and Sterility
Working hygienically during harvest is crucial to prevent contamination. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, and consider wearing gloves. If using extra tools and containers, ensure they are sterile to avoid bacterial contamination.
Harvesting Technique
The preferred harvesting method is to gently twist the mushrooms off at the base of the stem. Sometimes the stem will snap, and other times, you may pull away some mycelium. Be gentle and quiet to avoid damaging the mushrooms and the mycelium. For smaller mushrooms, tweezers can be useful.
Drying and Storage
Proper drying and storage are essential to preserve the potency and quality of magic mushrooms. Place the mushrooms on a rack, mesh, or kitchen paper, ensuring adequate space between them for air circulation. Choose a dry, well-ventilated, dark place away from direct sunlight, as light can degrade the active compounds. It typically takes 7 to 10 days for the mushrooms to dry thoroughly.
By following these steps, you can successfully harvest, dry, and store magic mushrooms, retaining their psychoactivity and therapeutic benefits for months or even years.
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Signs it's time to harvest
The best time to harvest mushrooms depends on the type of mushroom, the growing conditions, and other factors. Here are some signs that it's time to harvest your mushrooms:
For Wild Mushrooms
The type of mushroom and the time of year can provide clues as to when it's time to harvest wild mushrooms. For example, morel mushrooms are the first to appear in the wild in spring, and they can be found at the base of certain types of trees, such as ash, elm, and apple trees. Morel look-alikes are reddish-brown to yellow in colour, so avoid those. Golden chanterelle mushrooms, on the other hand, are harvested in late summer through December in North America, and they're typically found in coniferous forests.
For Cultivated Mushrooms
The timing of harvesting cultivated mushrooms depends on the variety and growing conditions. For example, oyster mushrooms are typically harvested when the edges of their caps are still slightly curled under. If you wait too long, they will stop growing, dry out, or release a lot of spores, but they are still edible at this stage.
For Magic Mushrooms
The best time to harvest magic mushrooms is just before the veil tears. The veil is a thin membrane located on the underside of the cap, covering the gills. On juvenile mushrooms, the veil is usually fleshy and light-coloured (greyish-white). As the mushroom matures, the veil may darken and sag, indicating that it's time to harvest. Once the veil tears, the mushroom will start to die and release spores, which can reduce the yield of future crops. Therefore, it's crucial to harvest magic mushrooms at the right time to maximise future growth and potency.
General Tips for Harvesting Mushrooms
When harvesting mushrooms, it's important to be gentle to avoid bruising them. Some varieties, such as button, cremini, oyster, and lion's mane mushrooms, can be harvested by twisting and pulling them by hand. Cutting with a knife can leave an exposed stem that may be susceptible to infection by bacteria or other fungi. Pulling out the entire mushroom can signal to the fungus that it's gone, potentially diverting energy to produce more mushrooms. Additionally, pulling or plucking mushrooms can aid in species identification.
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Outdoor vs indoor growing
Mushrooms can be grown both outdoors and indoors, but the ideal method depends on various factors, including the climate, available space, and desired harvest time.
Outdoor Growing
Outdoor mushroom cultivation is heavily dependent on the seasons and climate. Most mushroom varieties are perennial crops that can be planted throughout the growing season, as long as the daytime temperatures are consistently above 40°F (4°C). In warmer climates, this allows for planting throughout most of the year, while in cooler climates, it is best to plant in spring or early summer to speed up the time to harvest.
Outdoor-grown mushrooms can take advantage of natural conditions, such as using dead or dying trees for nutrition and detecting CO2 levels to determine when to form a cap for spore dispersal. This results in meatier fruits and less waste, as seen with outdoor-grown King Oyster mushrooms. Additionally, outdoor systems use less energy over their life cycle compared to indoor systems, and they support sustainable forest management practices by utilising materials like logs, stumps, and woodchips.
However, outdoor mushroom production has its limitations. It is subject to unpredictable environmental conditions, such as rain, wind, snow, and sleet, which can impact the fruiting process. The dynamic climate can make production cycles less predictable than indoor cultivation. Additionally, urban and peri-urban growers may face challenges in accessing logs or finding suitable growing spaces.
Indoor Growing
Indoor mushroom growing offers the advantage of climate control, allowing for year-round production. It provides a more stable and reliable environment, buffering against the unpredictable aspects of weather and climate. This consistency results in faster-growing mushrooms compared to outdoor cultivation.
Growing mushrooms indoors also offers greater control over potential pests and diseases due to the isolated environment. Additionally, indoor setups can be adapted to utilise abandoned or underutilised spaces, such as basements, shipping containers, warehouses, barns, and storage facilities.
However, one of the main challenges of indoor mushroom growing is maintaining adequate fresh air circulation to prevent elevated CO2 levels, which can cause mushrooms to form long stems and small caps, as seen with indoor-grown Oyster mushrooms. Achieving the right balance between fresh air and humidity can be difficult, especially in smaller spaces. Additionally, indoor growing may be limited by space constraints and the need for a dedicated, dark, and humid environment, which may not be feasible for those in shared living situations.
Hybrid Systems
Some farmers employ a hybrid approach, combining both outdoor and indoor growing methods. For example, they may bring shiitake logs indoors to extend the growing season or bring ready-to-fruit blocks outdoors when the natural conditions are favourable.
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Different types, different times
The ideal time to harvest mushrooms depends on the type of mushroom and the growing conditions. Mushrooms can be grown indoors or outdoors, with outdoor growing being more dependent on the seasons and temperatures. Here are some common types of mushrooms and their respective harvest times:
Shiitake Mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms are typically grown on logs and can take anywhere from 5 to 18 months after planting to start fruiting. If planted in the spring, they may produce their first crop in the fall of the same year, but it is not uncommon for them to take until the following year. Once fruiting begins, the timing of harvest depends on the specific strain and ideal weather conditions for that strain.
Oyster Mushrooms
Oyster mushrooms typically fruit 3-12 months after planting, depending on the strain, outside conditions, and temperature. The best time to harvest Oyster Mushrooms is when the first caps on the cluster begin to turn from convex to concave in shape, just before the edges begin to curl upwards. This is usually about three to five days after the first mushrooms begin to form.
Lion's Mane and Comb Tooth Mushrooms
These mushrooms can take up to 2 years before they are ready to produce their first crop. Once established, they generally fruit in the spring and fall for several years.
Morel Mushrooms
Morel mushrooms are one of the first wild mushrooms to appear in the spring. They can be found at the base of certain types of trees, such as ash, elm, and apple trees, and often feed on dying root systems.
Chanterelle Mushrooms
Elegant golden chanterelle mushrooms are typically harvested in late summer through December in North America. They are commonly found in coniferous forests with evergreen trees or exposed to long winters.
Fairy Ring Mushrooms
Fairy ring mushrooms are typically harvested in the summer and fall and can grow year-round in warm climates. They are commonly found in lawns and grass, often growing in a ring or arc formation.
Magic Mushrooms
The best time to harvest magic mushrooms is just before the veil, located on the underside of the cap, tears and turns dark. This is when the mushroom is most potent, and harvesting at this time will also maximise subsequent flushes.
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How to harvest
The best time to harvest mushrooms is when they are at their peak quality in terms of size, texture, flavour, and shelf life. If you wait too long, the mushrooms will be more fragile, and their taste and shelf life will be negatively affected.
Signs of Maturity
Each mushroom variety has its own unique signs of maturity. Here are some general indicators to look out for:
- When the caps turn from convex to concave, or when the caps flatten out and before the cap margins begin curling upwards.
- When the caps change colour, such as Pink Oysters fading from a deep pink to a whiter pink.
- When the mushrooms are a similar size and texture to what is typically shown in pictures or recommended by the spawn provider.
- When the mushrooms are ready to release their spores, indicated by the appearance of white "dust".
Harvesting Techniques
There are various techniques for harvesting mushrooms, and none are better or worse as long as a few basic guidelines are followed:
- Avoid ripping the mushrooms off as this can damage the mycelium.
- Instead, gently twist them off at the base of the stem.
- Keep things sterile by washing your hands, wearing gloves, and even a face mask to prevent bacteria or aggressive fungi from contaminating the cake.
- For Shiitake mushrooms grown on logs, you can cut the fruit or twist and pull the mushroom from the mycelium.
Timing
The timing of the harvest is crucial. Here are some tips to help you determine the right time to harvest:
- For most mushrooms, the harvest typically occurs anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks after "pinning", which is when the small nubs of mushrooms first appear.
- For Oyster mushrooms, harvesting should occur 3 to 5 days after the first mushrooms begin to form.
- For Shiitake mushrooms, it typically takes 5 to 18 months after planting for the logs to begin fruiting.
- For Lion's Mane mushrooms, it can take up to 2 years for the logs to be ready for the first harvest, and then they will fruit in the spring and fall for several years.
Remember, it is always better to harvest a bit early than too late to avoid ruining the entire grow. Happy harvesting!
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Frequently asked questions
The best time to harvest mushrooms is when the caps turn from convex to concave.
Spring is the best time to plant mushroom logs. The daytime temperature should be consistently 40°F or higher.
Oyster mushrooms are ready to harvest when the outside edge is curled under and feels similar to the curve at the top of your ear.
If planted in the spring, the first shiitake mushrooms may be ready to harvest in the fall.
The best time to harvest magic mushrooms is just before the veil tears.
