Spring Season Mushrooms

[Marvell]

I am having a particular nightmare locating edible mushrooms this Spring. Morels, St George's, Fairy Ring Champignon and Shaggy Ink Cap are on my list. Though I've not made a concerted effort to seek the latter two, I've tried my best with the others.

Here in North Devon, I've got masses of clay soil, which I hear Morels hate. I've got a site up on the Burroughs to have a look at, as this a nice transition. I've also got a pine forest to check out, as I understand that acidifies the soil, which might counter the clay problem. Any thoughts?

I was under the impression that St George's were everywhere. I live on a huge estate on the coast (not mine :) ) and I've been all over the fringes ... nothing. I think it's time to check the parks and industrial estates, not that we have many of those.

Can any of you North Devon and Cornwall foragers confirm or deny the existence of the above? Do they actually grow here?

Cheers for your help peeps.

[AdrianRose]

Hi Steve
Sorry that I can't give you any "local" info as I don't live in your part of the country however, the best place to find morels at this time of year if actually in flower beds.
You say that you live on a large estate, morels love bark chippings, you know te tyoe that they put on flower beds for both decorative and moisture control reasons.

The best way to find them is to get a long stretch of flower bed that is covered in bark chippings (the longer the bed has been established, the better) then lay flat on the ground on your front and look along the flower bed at ground height, if there are any there, this is the best way to find them.

St Georges prefer grassy banks, field margins or grassy hedgerows. Be careful with the Fairy ring Champignon as there are some toxic fungi that have a habit of lurking in the ring formation. Likewise, be careful of Shaggy Inkcap combined with any alcohol due to the presence of a substance called "coprine" within the ink cap (genus coprinus).

hope that this helps.
Ade

[Marvell]

Thanks for the tips Adrian. I recently spoke to the head gardener on the estate about Morels and they'd seen none, but I might see if friends and neighbours have any "decaying" type flower bed treatments.