Foraging for mushrooms has no start or finish because of the mushroom kingdom's size, different species thrive all year round. However, there are certain times of the year when specific mushrooms are more prevalent, these periods are called seasons...
European Mushroom Season
Foraging for fungi in September and October when the sun was still high in the sky used to be the norm. However, the recent trend of warm, dry autumns and mild early winters is changing the calendar. November has now become the mushroom month.
In a mild winter, mushrooms can still be found in January and February and, with the possible exception of March, some mushroom seasons can continue all year. This odd behaviour is almost entirely down to rain. If it rains you will likely get mushrooms, though you will get many more if it is autumn rain. There are some exceptions, however:
| Name | Latin | Type | Season Start | Season End |
| St Georges mushroom | Calocybe gambosa | Edible | April | May |
| Morels | Morchella esculenta | Edible | April | May |
| Fairy Ring Champignons | Marasmius oreades | Edible | April | August |
| Chicken of the Woods | Laetiporus sulphureus | Edible | July | August |
| Beef Steak Fungus | Fistulina hepatica | Edible | August | October |
| Charcoal Burner | Russula cyanoxantha | Edible | August | November |
| Hedgehog Fungus | Hydnum repandum | Edible | August | November |
| Hen of the Woods | Grifola frondosa | Edible | July | October |
| Honey Fungus | Armillaria mellea | Edible | August | November |
| Puffballs | Calvatia gigantea | Edible | July | August |
| Oyster Mushrooms | Pleurotus ostreatus | Edible | All year | All year |
| Wood Ears | Auricularia auricula-judae | Edible | All year | All year |
| Red Staining Inocybe | Inocybe erubescens | Poisonous | April | November |
| Sulphur Tufts | Hypholoma fasciculare | Poisonous | All year | All year |
| Verdigris Agaric | Stropharia aeruginosa | Poisonous | April | November |
Australian Mushroom Season
Mushrooms in Australia are widespread in coniferous woods in autumn after rain from the end of February to early May.
| Name | Latin | Type | Season Start | Season End |
| Slippery Jack | Suillus luteus | Edible | February | May |
| Morels | Morchella esculenta | Edible | February | May |
| Saffron Milk Caps | Lactarius deliciosus | Edible | February | August |
US Mushroom Season
Mushrooms in the US are widespread in coniferous woods in autumn after rain from late April to early May.
| Name | Latin | Type | Season Start | Season End |
| Chanterelles | Cantharellus | Edible | April | May |
| Morels | Morchella esculenta | Edible | April | October |
| Lions mane | Hericium Erinaceus | Edible | April | August |
For more information and access to our famous mushroom maps, we offer a sample free mushroom identification course.