Blog
Mushroom Conditions Seattle Jan 23 2024
How are the current conditions for mushrooms in the Seattle area right now? After a recent cold snap, the region has returned to more typical temperature ranges with highs in the 50s and lows above freezing. Some might think that these conditions would be quite...
Deer Mushroom Cultivation – Pluteus
In January 2023 I stumbled upon a log of fresh Deer mushrooms in the Anacortes Community Forest in Northwest Washington. Deer mushrooms are broadly distributed around the world and are fairly common west of the Cascades. January can typically be a strange time to find...
12 Days of Mushrooms
As we pass the winter solstice and look back on a fungi-filled autumn, here’s a fun reimagining of the 12 days of Christmas for all of you mycophiles.
Milk Caps
The Milk Caps can be a fascinating and sometimes overwhelming genus to observe. Scientifically known as Lactarius, the name indicates one of the genus's unique characteristics: a strongly-colored juice known as latex or 'milk'. Dozens of Lactarius species grow in the...
Candy Caps
Candy Cap Mushrooms Candy Caps are mushrooms in the milk cap genus Lactarius. They are small, orange mushrooms that can be found on or near rotting wood, and soil. There are multiple species that have the characteristic maple scent when dried. Lactarius rubidus is...
December Update
December Events Saturday Dec 9 — 2-6pm Crown Hill Holiday Market - Seattle (https://tinyurl.com/3m3rn2tm) Meet me in NW Seattle to look at some mushroom-themed gift options or just to talk mushrooms. I will have liquid cultures, grow kits, embroidered stocking caps,...
Variations on mushroom fruiting due to differences in region, season, climate, and weather
Variations in weather and their impact on mushroom fruiting Mushroom season is heavily dependent on cycles of rain, temperature, and food availability. The following charts illustrate monthly averages for high, low, and precipitation for a selection of cities. Some of...
Egg Flower Soup With Matsutake
I have only made this dish once, and that time I used a powdered soup mix. I only had a tiny backpacking skillet and a jetboil. This recipe is adapted from this egg flower soup recipe. Ingredients - 4 cups chicken stock- 1 cup matsutake mushroom (thinly sliced)- 1/4...
Deck the Halls with Dehydrated Mushrooms
As I learn more about mushrooms and spend more time observing them in the forest, it’s fun to find ways to incorporate them at home. In addition to annual cooking traditions, such as creamy chanterelle soup in the fall and spring king bolete tapenade, I’m starting to...
List of poisonous mushrooms
Here is a list of poisonous and inedible mushroom species found in Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. This is not a complete list but may help to serve as a reference for those who have a scientific name, but don't know the edibility. Edible and Poisonous are...