When does the mushroom season begin

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More than 3000 species of mushrooms are found on the territory of Russia. Obviously, they do not grow overnight. Therefore, it is important to know when the long-awaited mushroom season begins in order to start collecting certain species in time. Let's try to understand the intricacies of gathering in spring, summer and autumn, as well as other fundamentally important aspects of quiet hunting.

When does the mushroom season begin

When the first mushrooms appear

There is a special mushroom calendar or a mushroom picker calendar, according to which you can easily determine in what period which mushrooms grow.

In general, the first specimens appear already in January: if the winter in your region turned out to be warm, it is possible that oyster mushrooms are growing from the first month of the year.

They live on tree trunks. In order not to confuse the mushroom with a poisonous relative, remember the texture of the cap: in oyster mushrooms it is leathery, and round in shape.

In February, in the event of a thaw, the list of mushrooms may be replenished with other species of the tree type. But by mid-April, even in not the most fertile places, morels, lines, etc. are found.

To determine the beginning of the collection, take into account the lunar calendar and recommendations from it, as well as forecasts of meteorologists for your place of residence and how much the earth has warmed up. You need to know this, because the bulk of the collected fungi are mycorrhizal formers, the vital processes of which are very closely related to their symbiont plants.

What is harvested in spring

The mushroom picker's calendar says that in the first weeks of spring, the previously mentioned lines (ordinary, giant or peaked) and morels (conical, tall, morels-caps and other subspecies) appear in the forest.

These mushrooms can be safely consumed, but only after proper heat treatment.

Also in the spring you can find a row of May or short-legged, two-ringed champignon (but it is found only in regions rich in organic matter), bighead, tinder fungus, spring honey fungus, pecitsa and dung beetle.

Despite the peculiar names and knowledge about them (for example, about the tinder fungus, which is known as a parasitic tree fungus), they are all widely used in Russian cuisine.

Features of the summer collection

Summer representatives are considered the most valuable. In the warm season, the active season of mushrooms begins, so there is a real hunt for the harvest, or rather, a mushroom boom. It is important for mushroom pickers to start picking on time.

All types of summer mushrooms will grow until autumn. The formation of a large fruiting body takes time. But if you live in a fertile and densely populated area, you should hurry up to collect exactly those most beloved and desired mushrooms.

In June, it is worth picking mushrooms of the highest category, in July - pay attention to the remaining specimens from more inaccessible collection points.

And in August, the second wave of growth begins: mushrooms are found almost everywhere, from undergrowth to roadsides.

What kind of mushrooms can be found

The features of the growth of summer mushrooms are as follows.

• June or even the end of May: it will be possible to find the first boletus, boletus, boletus and porcini mushrooms in the forest, if the weather is warm and the soil has sufficient moisture.
• July: there are huge families of mushrooms, pine or upland mushrooms. These mushrooms of the first category are most popular in the middle of summer, because their high taste reaches its climax). Chanterelles can also be found that are less nutritious than others.
• August: autumn mushrooms, volushki and russula appear (especially in the initial period of the month).

The main advantage of this month is that the mycelium produces the maximum number of fruiting bodies per season.

Autumn gathering

The schedule of mushroom picking in the autumn period is no less stressful for keen mushroom pickers and mushroom eaters.

• September: all of the above summer mushrooms reappear in the forest, however, you need to be careful, because in the bright autumn foliage, it can be difficult to make out the colorful hats.
• October: the number of mushrooms is slowly declining and in order to collect a full basket, you need to make a mile-long march, like real soldiers. We advise you to look for relatively fresh specimens near stumps or under trees: they retain the heat for a long time, which the mushroom needs so much.

In October, the mushroom season almost ends

• November: by the beginning of this month the weather becomes cool. And even if it is possible to find the mushrooms, most likely they will be damaged by frost. In no case should such be consumed.

In December, there is more that can be counted on - the remnants of the autumn harvest and some cold-resistant woody mushrooms.

What mushrooms grow

Autumn is considered the best period for picking mushrooms precisely because they are filled with useful trace elements and vitamins necessary for the body.

The most useful autumn species are considered: moss, pigs, milk mushrooms and podgruzdki, honey mushrooms, porcini mushrooms, devil's fingers, champignons (usually in autumn they are found only in warm regions, for example, in the Krasnodar Territory), volnushki, ryadovki and oak trees.

Tips from experienced mushroom pickers

It is of course useful to know when the new mushroom picking season starts. But this is not enough to get a successful harvest.

Let's try to figure out what containers should be used for gathering, what clothes to choose for a trip to the forest, and how to behave properly in the wild.

Choosing a collection container

The best container for mushrooms is a wicker basket. Air constantly circulates in it due to the small gaps between the branches of the vine, and the fruit bodies themselves will not be squeezed.

A metal basket is also fine, but the risk of deformation of the lower layers of the mushrooms cannot be ruled out, so it is better to cover the bottom with something.

Leave plastic bags or plastic buckets at home. In them, the crop has no chance of safe storage.

It is most convenient to put any container in a deep travel backpack - this makes it easier to transport the crop. In addition, even baskets with a volume of 20 liters fit into large models.

Selection of clothes

The equipment of the mushroom picker depends on where he is going. But there are general rules:

Do not wear suits made of synthetic fabrics, because they will slow down the process of heat exchange, which can lead to overheating. A military uniform is considered the ideal option.

The main criteria for choosing clothes: comfort, fabric durability and compliance with weather conditions.

If you don't have a uniform, you should think about choosing simple trousers made of cotton or its mixture with synthetic materials. Wear a sturdy hooded windbreaker on top.

As for footwear, high-top sneakers or army boots are considered a universal option.In no case should you go to the forest in sandals, even on a hot day, so as not to become a victim of the bite of a poisonous inhabitant of the forest or an accident when, due to such clearly “non-forest” shoes, you can end up in traumatology.

How not to get lost in the forest

• Before going out into the woods, let your friends or family know about your plans. Firstly, it will orient them if you get lost, and secondly, you will not cause them anxiety if you suddenly do not answer the call.
• Dress brightly to stand out from the trees (or with regular outerwear, you should have some kind of bright spot on it). If you are wearing military uniform, wear a bandana or ribbons.
• Do not leave the trail or take a shortcut, even if you are absolutely sure of where you are going. This is especially true for novice mushroom pickers, for whom the forest is a "secret behind seven seals."
• Before going out, repeat the rules of orientation on the ground, try to find paper or electronic maps of the reserve or forest, look through them (be sure to take a paper one with you as an addition to the electronic one in case your mobile Internet is “lost”).
• If you do get lost, try to get out to the reservoir or power lines. Make a fire and wait for the search engines to spot you.
• If possible, do not go into the forest alone, check all equipment before going out and do not forget to take a knife and matches, as well as those medicines that you take constantly.
• Be sure to go out early in the morning: time passes quickly in nature, and in the evening, in the dark, you should not be far from civilization.

Irina Selyutina (Biologist):

If, nevertheless, you get lost in the forest, it is important to remember:
Do not panic: panic has not led anyone to any good yet. Therefore, you need to follow the sound (railway, highway). The smell of smoke or manure (from the farm) also helps to navigate. When you smell the smell, move against the wind, respectively, in the direction of the source of odorous substances. If there are no such landmarks, then it is better to go out to the water and go downstream. You can climb the tallest tree and look around. If you find a path - do not rush to rejoice, determine who walks on it - a person or animals. If the branches constantly hit you in the face and chest, go right away - this "road" was made by animals.
Arrange an overnight stay: to do this is necessary to conserve strength. Try to make a fire, the search engines will see it, and the animals will be careful not to approach.
What will we eat: you need to find water or collect it with plastic wrap. Nutrition is more difficult, but try to find edible berries (only familiar ones), nuts, or “condemn” collected mushrooms - life and health are more expensive.
Possible dangers in the forest: wild animals may be interested in you, but even predators attack a person only if they are injured or protect the young. When meeting with an animal, stand still, let it go. Do not turn or run away - this will provoke an attack (you are the victim). Back away slowly, keeping your eyes on the animal. If you have a wolf or a wild boar in front of you, climb the tree.
Let yourself be found: so that the search does not drag out, try to stay in one place, especially if you can make a fire.

So that you do not have to search, and your loved ones worry about your life and health, try to be attentive and careful in the forest.

About poisonous mushrooms

Some mushrooms look like they shouldn't be eaten. Therefore, be careful when collecting, try to carefully select copies.

• A pear-shaped raincoat can be confused with a hedgehog raincoat. The latter can not be eaten in any case.
• The porcini mushroom has many twins. These include gall and satanic mushrooms.
• An inexperienced mushroom picker runs the risk of taking a stinky fly agaric or pale toadstool instead of champignon.
• Everyone's favorite boletus and honey mushrooms outwardly resemble a pepper mushroom.
• Chanterelles are similar to false chanterelles. There are almost no external differences between them.To learn to distinguish between these mushrooms, it is not enough to know how they look in the atlas - you definitely need practical skills.
• Ordinary autumn mushrooms are easy to confuse with their direct relatives. Do not collect sulfur-yellow and brick-red mushrooms in the basket. This could lead to a serious eating disorder.