8/25/25 – If you’ve been following the weather in our neck of the woods this summer, you will have seen the regular rainfall and cooler temperatures. This pattern has kept fire danger low, much to our relief, although it wasn’t great for the blueberry crop which was mediocre. It has, however, been a banner year for fungi in the boreal forest. I admit, I am late to the mushroom fan club. I first noticed the abundance of fungi in our woods when my youngest was about a year old. A newly mobile and curious kid, Sig somehow managed to find every mushroom in a 100 foot radius and tried to put them all in his mouth. His love of mushrooms has continued to grow, and I can happily report that he is now adept at identifying which mushrooms are safe for him to cook and eat, and which he needs to avoid.
If you’re interested in mushrooming I highly recommend finding a class or a club near you. North House Folk School in Grand Marais often holds foraging classes, and there are a variety of clubs throughout the metro area that take folks out on educational hikes. A knowledgeable friend is always a good resource, and there are a number of books I’ve found helpful for tips and tricks on identification. We like to saute our clean and diced mushrooms in some butter and garlic, then freeze them in single serving sizes for winter gravies and soups.
Beyond foraging for consumption, I have grown to love the beauty of the fungi world. Give me a good patch of moss and lichen with a few colorful mushrooms popping out and it’ll make my day.
-Clare