Foraging in winter

If you’re anything like me, going for a lovely walk in winter just isn’t half as much fun as when you’re not scanning the tall trunks of trees or poking around in the leaf litter, on the look out for the many types of edible wild fungi that make an appearance during the rest of the year.

The winter months – December, January and February – are a really testing time for wild fungi enthusiasts. It’s much harder work –  it’s darker, colder, wetter, and you’re spending your time in a barren, lifeless landscape - yes, that can be depressing. 

But of course, there are some types of wild fungi out there – see my post on the top five edible wild mushrooms to be found in winter. Really, there’s not a whole lot of fungi to be found until the end of March and the start of April. In my mind, the foraging season really begins on St George’s Day, with the promise of St George’s mushroom.

But before I get miserable and, I remind myself that there are a few things that can survive the cold temperatures. Winter chanterelles, for example, can happily survive the process of freezing and defrosting.

The oyster mushroom endures the winter, but it can be found throughout the year. They can be found on a logs and tree stumps – layers upon layers of beautiful and delicate oyster mushrooms. In winter, you should look for them especially after a frost – they can be found up to a week after.

Wood blewits and field blewits are practically indestructible and easily survive rain, frost and snow. No matter what the weather, you’re likely to find some.

Alternatively, you could just forget about finding mushrooms in the snow, and make a giant snow mushroom instead, as seen in this YouTube video (not as rude as it looks in the photo!)

What do you think? If you have any comments, please let me know below. I'd love some feedback from my readers!