When and where can you start picking honey mushrooms in the Moscow region in 2021?

Honey mushrooms are a popular foraging crop in the Moscow region. They grow in clusters, so a good harvest can be collected in just a few hours. There are spring, fall, summer, and winter varieties—mushrooms appear every season, weather permitting. To engage in "quiet hunting" without harming your health, you need to know the best mushroom spots and the timing of the mushroom season in the Moscow region in 2021. Before heading into the forest, study photos of false and edible mushrooms.

Where to pick honey mushrooms in the Moscow region

The greatest number of mushrooms can be collected in the Moscow region from August to October. They grow in forest belts along the railway lines. The main gathering spots are located far from the capital, requiring significant travel time. The table below shows the main routes and stations where you can collect a large number of mushrooms at any time of year.

You can pick honey mushrooms in the Pushkino area any month of autumn. If you don't want to travel far from Moscow, you should visit the forests near Galygino, Shapilovo, or Morozovo. Near the Firsanovka railway station, you can find not only honey mushrooms but also saffron milk caps, porcini mushrooms, and aspen mushrooms. Plenty of honey mushrooms can be found in September in the forests near the Kuzyaevo station near Moscow. It's worth remembering the best spots to return to next year.

When will honey mushrooms appear in the Moscow region in 2021?

Growing times vary depending on the variety of honey mushroom. Each species ripens at a specific time, and the yield depends on climate conditions. If the weather is dry and there is no precipitation, the mushroom harvest will be meager. It's best to go "silent hunting" in warm weather, after heavy rain. The best time to visit the forest during honey mushroom season is early morning, after the fog has cleared. The table below shows approximate mushroom picking times in the Moscow region.

Under favorable weather conditions, honey mushrooms can be harvested year-round. The mushrooms' appearance dates are approximate, so be sure to take the weather into account. The ideal temperature for spring and fall honey mushrooms is between 10 and 15°C, and for summer mushrooms, 20°C. Wait 5-7 days after heavy rains before heading into the forest. Winter mushrooms are susceptible to frost; at subzero temperatures, mycelium growth stops and they enter a state of suspended animation.

Growing conditions

Edible honey mushrooms grow in the forests of the Moscow region on trees and shrubs of coniferous and deciduous forests. The mushrooms develop in colonies on old stumps and weakened trees. The optimal temperature for mycelium growth is 15ºC to 25ºC, requiring high humidity (60-70%). At temperatures above 30ºC, development stops, and the mushrooms dry out. Sudden temperature fluctuations affect the mushroom's life cycle.

Mushrooms will not thrive in areas where young trees grow. Honey mushrooms dislike brightly lit areas and thrive in ravines and on mountain slopes. The mycelium grows quickly—in favorable weather conditions, it grows 1.5-2 cm per day. The life cycle varies by species, but typically lasts 12-15 days. In warm weather and heavy rainfall, the fruiting body is ready for harvesting in 4-5 days.

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Differences between edible and false specimens

Edible honey mushrooms - mushrooms On a thin, long stalk, 7-10 cm tall, with a convex cap. If in doubt, break the cap open—its flesh is tender, with a pleasant mushroom aroma. Poisonous mushrooms smell like rot, and the fruiting body has a bitter taste. The table will help you identify what honey mushrooms look like, and distinguish an edible mushroom from a false one.

The honey fungus can be confused with the Galerina marginata, which grows in the forests of the Moscow region. Its fruiting body is as toxic as the death cap. The danger is that the poisonous specimen can grow in a colony of edible mushrooms and can be accidentally picked up. The main distinguishing feature of the Galerina marginata is the lack of scales at the base and on the cap, and the presence of a fibrous stem with a white coating.

To ensure a successful "silent hunt," it's important to study the mushroom-picking route. It's not recommended to venture into the forest alone. Bring a compass and a map. When collecting honey mushrooms in the Moscow region, avoid polluted areas. Only collect edible specimens; if in doubt, discard any suspicious mushrooms.