With the return of autumn rains, we are entering British Columbia’s largest mushroom season. While the largest quantity and variety of species can be found in October, the delayed rain this autumn has pushed back mushroom growth. According to the Vancouver Mycological Society, the “fall mushroom season usually starts towards the end of August as night temperatures begin to cool creating heavy dews… The first rains following a dry summer may take some time to penetrate and replace soil moisture and to trigger mushroom growth. A week or two may pass before the first mushrooms begin to appear.”

The autumn mushroom season usually ends when nighttime frosts freeze the ground. But before that happens you can get out and find some Amanita and Russula species. As winter creeps up you can find the Pine Mushroom, other Tricholoma, and species of Hygrophorus.

Before picking mushrooms, it is vitally important to do your research. Learn which mushrooms are safe to pick, which are safe to eat, and where you are legally allowed to forage.

When picking wild mushrooms, in addition to safety, it is important to always pick sustainably. In a 2021 interview with CBC, EatWild’s Dylan Eyeres had the following advice: “How we harvest is important, we want to make sure we are just slicing the stem off and leaving the root attached and not disturbing the soil… It’s nice to leave a few for the ecosystem, and if you’re really nice you can leave a few for the next picker that comes along.”

Resources on Fungi in British Columbia
Wild Mushroom Guides:
Vancouver Mycological Society – Where and How to Pick Mushrooms
West Coast Forager – Safe Foraging Guide
West Coast Forager – List of Edible Mushrooms

Poisonous Mushrooms:
Vancouver Mycological Society – First Response
Vancouver Mycological Society – Poisonous Mushrooms
West Coast Forager – Poisonous Mushrooms

Evolution’s Our Planet Earth – Mushrooms and Fun with Fungi