Morels and pointed morels are popular among mushroom pickers, but the well-hidden fruiting bodies usually escape the untrained eye. If you know where the species grow, you have a good chance of finding them. However, a mycelium does not fruit every year.
When is morel season?
The morel season begins in spring, usually between March and June. In the foothills of the Alps it starts in March and in central Germany around two weeks later. Optimal growing conditions are warm temperatures, moisture, nutrients and calm conditions.
When morels grow
The ascomycetes are typical spring species and mark the start of the mushroom season. Depending on the regional location and weather, you can find the first mushrooms as early as March. The main season for this species extends from April to June.
The Harvest Window
In the foothills of the Alps, morels sprout from the ground in spring at the earliest in March and usually at the beginning of April. By May they have finished their growth phase and the final dispersal of spores. In Central Germany the season is postponed by around two weeks. Here you can harvest the edible mushrooms between the second week of April and the end of May.
Morels need this
The decisive factor for a rich mushroom year is the weather. Morchella esculenta has specific temperature and humidity requirements. It is less important for fungal growth whether the winter was short or long with little snow or precipitation. Rather, it depends on the conditions in spring, when the fungus is already growing.
What influences growth
The morel needs a combination of warm temperatures, moisture and a good supply of nutrients in spring. Rainy spring months with temperatures around freezing point have a negative impact on development. If the thermometer rises into the double-digit range during rainy periods, the fungal threads united in knots grow and form a fruiting body. Strong sunlight in combination with high amounts of snow has the same effect, because the sun warms the ground and ensures a good moisture balance. Calm conditions also promote the growth of fungi.
Adverse factors:
- long-lasting dryness
- cold temperatures
- violent winds
- no or little precipitation
Harvest tips
To preserve the yield, you can dry the morels. At 50 degrees and circulating air, the fruit bodies lose their moisture within a few hours. The drying process in the sun is gentler. Small specimens can be dried whole, while large mushroom bodies should be halved.
Where to look
Morels are part of the defining image of riparian and deciduous forests or meadows, where they populate a variety of habitats. They are occasionally found in orchards and bushes. Humus-rich and calcareous soils are important. The morel species rarely grow on sandy and acidic substrates. If you want to collect the mushrooms, pay attention to ash trees and fruit trees. Wild garlic is an indicator plant for calcareous, moist and nutrient-rich soils, which is why you can expect morels in a sea of wild garlic leaves.
Tip
When cowslips or forsythia are blooming, you should start looking. At the appropriate locations and with optimal weather conditions, you have a good chance of a rich morel harvest.
