Seasonality of UK Wild Mushroom Fruiting Peaks
Interactive Chart on Flourish [OC]
UK mushroom growth (0 to 100) by month. Autumn sees major overlaps (Cep, Chanterelle, Hen of the Woods); spring and winter produce select species. Educational purposes only. Never forage without expert ID!
Throughout the course of the year, mushrooms do not tend to produce fruit in a consistent manner. This original graph shows how strongly 18 different common species grow from month to month across the UK in a graphical manner (0 = no growth, 100 = maximum growth).
All 18 species typically have distinct growing periods due to influences from the environment such as temperature, habitat type, and precipitation.
The majority of mushroom production occurs in the fall, with the months of September and October showing the greatest amount of overlap in edible mushrooms such as cepes (penny buns), chanterelles, hen of the woods, deceiver, and shaggy ink caps. This overlap creates an explosion in mushroom growth during September and October.
The other two major producing months are August (chicken of the woods and beefsteak fungus) and summer (field mushroom, giant puffball, and shaggy parasol).
Spring is noticeably different with one of the earliest wild edible species (St. George's mushroom) emerging in April. Winter has a low amount of mushroom growth but does provide some small amounts, with velvet shank mushrooms being most prevalent in February. Additional mushrooms found in winter that consistently produce are jelly ear mushrooms and oyster mushrooms.
The values provided above were all approximations, while there can be significant amounts of variability due to the weather. For example, heavy rains and mild temperatures can change the timing of peak mushroom production.
The above graph is for educational reference only. There is danger in foraging for mushrooms; it is imperative that mushrooms be accurately identified by an expert to prevent inadvertently eating something that could result in serious health issues or death.
Please enjoy (safely) observing the seasonal mushroom production!
References: Absolutely Wild (n.d.). Seasonality chart - Wild mushrooms. Link Mushroom Diary (n.d.). Mushroom calendar. Link Wild Food UK (n.d.). Mushroom guide. Link Woodland Trust (n.d.). Essential foraging guide. Link