By Judd from MycoMen
Wild mushrooms have been part of human culture for thousands of years. They have been found and harvested for health and spiritual use. But, it can be a bit overwhelming if you are new to the mushroom hunting game. Which mushrooms can I find near me? Which mushrooms are safe to eat? How do I harvest mushrooms? What are the benefits of mushrooms?
In this article we will discuss five different environments you are likely to find plentiful wild mushrooms. We will provide a list of mushrooms you may find, tell you how to harvest them, and give a list of benefits for each mushroom. This comprehensive list should give you a good head start for your mushroom hunting journey.
Forests have the most abundant amount of wild mushrooms you can find. They are ideal for mushroom growth. The trees provide much needed shade, the ground stays moist, and there is a huge supply of decaying organic matter. These 3 factors make forests perfect for wild mushroom growth.
These varieties of mushrooms should be harvested by cutting the base of the mushroom with a sharp knife. This is better than simply pulling them out of the ground. When you cut them at the base with a knife, you leave some mycelium underground so they can grow back. Be kind to the people that follow you and let the environment keep on thriving! They should be stored in a breathable basket or bag to avoid moisture build up and to let spores fall from them during transport. This way you can get your fill and leave the forest with a head start for the next round.
You can find some pretty unique mushroom strains in fields of grass. They rely on relationships with the surrounding grass and greens. North American prairies, European meadows, and South America all have some good grassland environments for mushroom growth.
When the caps are firm, field and meadow mushrooms are ready to harvest. But make sure to do it quickly before the gills darken! Shaggy Mane mushrooms are on an even tighter time frame. They need to be harvested pretty much as soon as they appear. Just pick them out of the ground.
Cooler climates and high altitudes can provide a unique environment for certain types of mushrooms to grow. Strap on your hiking shoes and you may be coming home with mushrooms not everyone can find! Think the American Rockies, European Alps, and Himalayas in Asia.
Morels are best to collect in the springtime when the caps are firm. Cordyceps grow from a host insect so you need to be careful to fully harvest the insect as well as the mushroom. Dig deep beneath the mushroom growth and carefully pull the insect and mushroom out.
Rainforests have three main components that make them perfect for mushroom growth: moisture, warmth, and decaying organic matter. You’ll have no problem finding mushrooms in the rainforests of the Amazon, Central Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Use a sharp knife to cut the mushrooms at the base. Reishi mushrooms should be hard and not soft. Additionally, the cap should have a brown color. These are signs they have matured. They can require a bit of digging to separate them from the host tree.
A small group of unique mushrooms can be found in the dunes and sands of Europe. Australia, and West Coast North America. These mushrooms have evolved over a long time to thrive in such environments that you may not have originally thought would host mushroom growth.
These mushrooms can simply be plucked out of the ground. Just be careful not to disturbed the environment too much. You want to leave it so mushrooms can keep on growing!
Harvesting wild mushrooms won’t be all fun and games if you do not pay attention to safety resources. As you probably know, some mushroom varieties can be poisonous. Be sure to use up-to-date and reputable field guides to help properly identify the mushrooms you find. Local mycology clubs can be a great resource as well. Never consume a mushroom you are not 100% certain you have properly identified.
By Judd from MycoMen
Wild mushrooms have been part of human culture for thousands of years. They have been found and harvested for health and spiritual use. But, it can be a bit overwhelming if you are new to the mushroom hunting game. Which mushrooms can I find near me? Which mushrooms are safe to eat? How do I harvest mushrooms? What are the benefits of mushrooms?
In this article we will discuss five different environments you are likely to find plentiful wild mushrooms. We will provide a list of mushrooms you may find, tell you how to harvest them, and give a list of benefits for each mushroom. This comprehensive list should give you a good head start for your mushroom hunting journey.
Forests have the most abundant amount of wild mushrooms you can find. They are ideal for mushroom growth. The trees provide much needed shade, the ground stays moist, and there is a huge supply of decaying organic matter. These 3 factors make forests perfect for wild mushroom growth.
These varieties of mushrooms should be harvested by cutting the base of the mushroom with a sharp knife. This is better than simply pulling them out of the ground. When you cut them at the base with a knife, you leave some mycelium underground so they can grow back. Be kind to the people that follow you and let the environment keep on thriving! They should be stored in a breathable basket or bag to avoid moisture build up and to let spores fall from them during transport. This way you can get your fill and leave the forest with a head start for the next round.
You can find some pretty unique mushroom strains in fields of grass. They rely on relationships with the surrounding grass and greens. North American prairies, European meadows, and South America all have some good grassland environments for mushroom growth.
When the caps are firm, field and meadow mushrooms are ready to harvest. But make sure to do it quickly before the gills darken! Shaggy Mane mushrooms are on an even tighter time frame. They need to be harvested pretty much as soon as they appear. Just pick them out of the ground.
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