How do you start out collecting wild edible mushrooms if you don't have any friends with experience? I'd say, pay someone to be your friend -- I.E. take a class. The absolute best class I've ever taken was the Wild Mushroom Conference at Breitenbush Hotsprings. It was fantastic. There was a PhD for every 6-7 attendees the year I went, and I spiked up from picking Chanterelles only (!!) to having experience and confidence with over a dozen edible species. It's a bit of money and a bit of a time commitment, but I cannot possibly suggest it more highly.
Here's the heartbreaker, you missed it for this year. It is held mid-late October every year. The date floats a bit depending on availability of teachers.
If you have the patience, wait a year and go to that, I couldn't imagine a better start.
If you can't wait a year, hook up with the Oregon Mycological Society. I met many members when I attended the Breitenbush conference, and everyone was very sweet and helpful. They are so enthused about mushrooms that it is just contagious. There are some world-class mycologists who associate with this society, a fine fine group of folks. Their conference, also, was last month. But there are trips being planned all the time, and when you get in contact with them I'm sure you could find a mushroom outing just about any weekend of the fall season.
Bare bones: go out with PEOPLE who know what the hell they're doing. Don't rely on a book, ever. Some people would scoff at this comment, but this is my opinion. Why juggle around with danger like that, there's no need. There are scads of helpful folks who are more than willing to help you get started, just get a hold of them.
Oh, and absolutely buy David Arora's books
, and other field guides. I keep his All that the rain promises, and more on me when I'm in the woods, and the huge tome Mushrooms Demystified in the car for deeper investigation. There are other good books out there but I prefer his, they are what I was weaned on. Hope that helps, and if you have any questions just let me know.
Enjoy your newest hobbies,
Bp
4 comments:
I'm with you on that. Don't do book only. Wish I'd heard of the mushroom class sooner... Also, the Mt. Pisgah mushroom fest in Eugene is a blast every fall... last month as well.
Once I'm finished with school I'm going to have to delve deep into my inner mycophile and make all of these gatherings. Mid October is normally right when my first round of exams happens.
Do the Breitenbush class, I can't speak highly enough of it.
Good food and soaks in between forays to gather mushies, it's the best.
Bummer - I just missed the class! Thanks for the tips on how to learn though. Very helpful.
I guess with all my mounds of mulch I need to shovel for the Great Sheet Mulching, I probably should hold off on a new venture until next fall anyways...
Sheet mulching for us was a strenuous, month-long task. I think we moved 5 yards of material. It might have been more.
But then, it's done... low maintenance. You may have time sooner than you think.
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