TIPS FOR MUSHROOM FORAGING: I first learned how to forage when I was living on a cow farm for a summer. A few nights a week, one of the farmers and I would go out and he’d show me how to I.D. edible mushrooms and plants. I am not an expert mycologist by any means, but foraging mushrooms has become one of the great joys of my summers. Here’s a few tips that I’ve learned (or been taught) over the years. While everyone has different style, my go to is safety comes first. No mushroom is so tasty its worth dying over. Get to know a few safe, and easy to I.D. species: this is key. It can be overwhelming first getting started seeing mushrooms and thinking, can I eat that? I recommend starting with just a few to really get to know and build your comfortability and confidence from there. When in doubt, just leave it: If you can’t confidently I.D., I wouldn’t suggest eating it. If you’re interested in learning more, you can always take it home, spore print it, do some research, etc., but I would be weary of eating something you’re not totally sure about. Think about look-a-likes, season, habitat, and bioregions: this is a big one. Asking yourself questions like “would this mushroom grow near this kind of tree, water source, this time of year?” Can give context clues to whether or not this is the mushroom you’re looking to find. Learn how to use field guides: While the internet is a vastly helpful place, look to field guides to give the best context about different species and look-a-likes. Always leave some behind: Like in any foraging practice, be respectful. Especially with mushrooms, by leaving some behind you may have a perennial spot to look for the next year.

Lost in the Flowers.

Healthier Cottage Cheese Cheesecake

via bopeep_valaisblacknose

Is this how you roll?

greeny tahini egg salad

Note: If any of these are incorrect/harmful/etc, please let us know & we will take them down immediately! This list was compiled from reading other gardening blogs & we have not had the opportunity to try them ourselves.

Yellowhammer/gulsparv. Värmland, Sweden (January 27, 2024).

National Galleries of Scotland.

singing song sparrow.

Is this how you roll?

If you would like to help support the artist, I’m on Patreon, I have an Etsy Shop and I sell Prints.