Mr. Ed
Be what you is not what you what you ain’t
- Location
- Central NY
I want to learn how to identify, hunt and gather mushrooms, but I don't know where to start? There are videos on YouTube and books to read, A little overwhelming.
Anybody forage or grow mushrooms?
- Thread starter Mr. Ed
- Start date
Tish
SF VIP
- Location
- Rural N.S.W. Australia
I haven't been mushroom gathering since the kids were young.
It was a case of finding some cow patties and picking the mushrooms.
It was a case of finding some cow patties and picking the mushrooms.
You might consider a less-risky activity.
Mr. Ed
Be what you is not what you what you ain’t
- Location
- Central NY
Less risky, what do you mean?
Bellbird
-Oceania-South Pacific
- Location
- New Zealand
I have mushrooms growing on my lawn (at the right time of the year) The 'safe' to eat mushroom here is a brown colour underneath and whitish on the top.
Learn which mushrooms are safe to eat, some can be poisonous.
Alligatorob
SF VIP
Done a little of both. Still eat the occasional foraged one if I am sure what it is. Never gotten sick.
Tried growing them a few times, the new kits work but seem to me to be more trouble than they are worth.
These days my mushroom procurement is pretty much limited to foraging at Walmart...
Sometimes, the safe mushrooms are difficult to distinguish from the poisonous ones, even for experts. (review the links)
I've read about people who needed liver & kidney transplants to stay alive (with a much-shortened lifespan) after they got it wrong.
Alligatorob
SF VIP
The botanist for Teton National Park, in Wyoming, used to tell people that no poisonous varieties grew in the Park. On his advice I tried a few, and while I found nothing toxic, I did discover several tasteless or bad tasting species...
That was in the 70s, doubt the Park Service would allow an employee to say something like that today. True or not the lawyers would be worried about liability.
That was in the 70s, doubt the Park Service would allow an employee to say something like that today. True or not the lawyers would be worried about liability.
RFW
Certified Night Owl
- Location
- United States
My mom was an avid mushroom gatherer. Too bad I can't ask her now.
AnnieA
Well-known Member
- Location
- Down South
I've started foraging them over the past couple of years. A local facebook group is an excellent resource because people are posting real-time pics of the ones in season in the area. In the groups I follow, the experienced foragers are super knowledgeable and helpful. If a newbie is unsure of correct identification, they'll ask for more pics and post snippets about spore patterns etc. from botanical resources. They'll also have recommendations for book references suitable for your area.
Here's the best source I've found for growing them. https://www.fieldforest.net/
Here's the best source I've found for growing them. https://www.fieldforest.net/
Bellbird
-Oceania-South Pacific
- Location
- New Zealand
Why not grow your own by bying a few from the supermarket or greengrocer, and throwing them on the lawn, the spores spread . Don't cook them first
Bellbird
-Oceania-South Pacific
- Location
- New Zealand
