Abundance of funghi

[0000]

Went for a forest walk today and was surprised how many toadstools were out.Is this common for this time of year as the forest floor had the appearance of what I'm used to in Autumn?

[osmposm]

Perhaps all the rain? Fungi generally like it wet.

[Osbourne One-Nil]

My lawn - the centre court of the north, is riddled with red-thread, or whatever it's called, and it can only be because of the extraordinarily damp summer we're having, as it's fed, scarified and aerated twice a year (simply to survive the kids playing on it so much). I don't think it's been especially wet in terms of rainfall totals, but it's the relentless nature of rainy days which seems to be the cause.

[Gray-Wolf]

My garden is cram packed full of toadstools...how do I know? well there's not mushroom inside......

[0000]

My garden is cram packed full of toadstools...how do I know? well there's not mushroom inside......

*boom boom*What a fun ghi

[osmposm]

....I don't think it's been especially wet in terms of rainfall totals, but it's the relentless nature of rainy days which seems to be the cause.

Perhaps it's been different in the NW, OON, but overall in England & Wales the first ten days of July were probably the third wettest since 1931 (after 1968 & 1988, and only a couple of mm behind the latter). I say 'probably' because this year's numbers were taken from the (?)unofficial/provisional figures on climate-uk.

But you're right about the relentlessness - though down here in the South East we escaped most of the endless rain you had in the second half of last month.

[Osbourne One-Nil]

Well, with the exception of April, our +700mm has fallen fairly evenly through the year.

[0000]

so has the funghi explosion been a northern phenomena?

[Somerset Squall]

so has the funghi explosion been a northern phenomena?

There is loads down here too. But it's common on the soggy Somerset Levels.

[Yeti]

This year so far has been superb for mushroom enthusiasts! In April I collected no fewer than 4kg of St. George's mushrooms in one walk! (They made a delicious dinner). The field mushrooms are now out, as well as the puffballs, though this is normal. I found a nice collection of red cracked boletes today although they are not worth eating. I expect the chanterelles and (best of all) the ceps will be popping up this time next month rain-permitting, and then it really is time to start enjoying gourmet mushroom meals. Get picking guys, this year's a treat to be had!!!!

Edited July 15, 2008 by Yeti

[0000]

This year so far has been superb for mushroom enthusiasts! In April I collected no fewer than 4kg of St. George's mushrooms in one walk! (They made a delicious dinner). The field mushrooms are now out, as well as the puffballs, though this is normal. I found a nice collection of red cracked boletes today although they are not worth eating. I expect the chanterelles and (best of all) the ceps will be popping up this time next month rain-permitting, and then it really is time to start enjoying gourmet mushroom meals. Get picking guys, this year's a treat to be had!!!!

my fear's picking the wrong ones but would love to try that

[Yeti]

my fear's picking the wrong ones but would love to try that

Well I started as a total beginner with the same worries! I recommend the river cottage guide to mushrooms as a super starting point, I have used it almost on its own as a guide and I have never, ever eaten a bad mushroom! If you're careful and only pick the distinctive varieties (which include all of the best) then it's impossible to go wrong. It's amazing what treats there are out there if you know what to do. I'm no expert but I certainly enjoy a wild mushroom risotto straight from the forest once in a while.

[0000]

Well I started as a total beginner with the same worries! I recommend the river cottage guide to mushrooms as a super starting point, I have used it almost on its own as a guide and I have never, ever eaten a bad mushroom! If you're careful and only pick the distinctive varieties (which include all of the best) then it's impossible to go wrong. It's amazing what treats there are out there if you know what to do. I'm no expert but I certainly enjoy a wild mushroom risotto straight from the forest once in a while.

i'll look into that book thanks Yeti