Where and how to pick mushrooms in New York

Where and how to pick mushrooms in New York
Where and how to pick mushrooms in New York

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New York is not the first place that comes to mind when you imagine mushroom pickers. In the dense urban jungle, it is difficult to find a green area suitable for the growth of mushrooms. In addition, the collection of these eukaryotic organisms in New York is technically prohibited. However, if New Yorkers know how to do one thing, it is to be creative in the use of available space and find loopholes in existing city laws.
Across the metropolis, green spaces have sprouted from community gardens to rooftop co-ops. They redefine the boundaries of what is possible in the city and create places for environmentalists. That is why now in New York there are several ways to so-called quiet hunting without the risk of being arrested.
When is the best time to pick mushrooms in New York?
Mushrooms have a very short season when they can be harvested so that they retain their palatability. If harvested too early, they will be tasteless, and if harvested too late, they will be sour and inedible.
When is mushroom season in New York? As you may have guessed, it depends on the weather conditions and the type of mushroom you are hunting for.
Depending on the type of mushroom, there are many conditions that should be considered in order to determine when to pick them in New York. But it is important to understand that all types of mushrooms grow in the Big Apple: winter, spring, summer and autumn. Therefore, the season essentially lasts all year round, you just need to go for different mushrooms.
As a rule, mushrooms can be found in yards, gardens, forests, and even in designated areas in parks. They grow under trees, on living and dead trees, in compost heaps, in gardens, etc.

On the subject: You can play chess and checkers for free in Central Park: the playground was reopened after repairs

Mushroom picking laws in New York
New York State parks have strict laws regarding mushroom picking. Formally, for their collection, you can get a fine of up to $ 250. Although this is not obvious to everyone: if you look at the laws, then everything is written there as if the collection of plants and flowers is prohibited, and mushrooms are an exception. But they often write that people were still fined, and covering up with ignorance does not always help.
But this does not stop the townspeople, and entire groups of quiet hunters have formed in New York.
Photo: IStock
New York Mycological Society
Those who want to start their mushroom adventure should contact the New York Mycological Society. Founded in 1962 by composer John Cage, the society has been lecturing on the scientific and culinary benefits of mushrooms for over 50 years. For the same number of years, the society organizes mushroom walks (expeditions for mushrooms). They run throughout New York, including Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx and Clow Lakes Park on Staten Island. Walking time is usually 5-6 hours.
Since this is a club, it has an annual membership fee of $20.
mushroom tour
If you’re more into one-off walks, check out Steve Brill, aka Wildman Bill. This person collects all edible plants, not just mushrooms. He has been leading New York City tours for over thirty years, including Central and Prospect Park.
Wildman, like the Mycological Society, is committed to making the public aware of the benefits of fungi and edible plants that people commonly consider weeds. He has written several cookbooks on the subject and even created an app (The Wild Edibles Forage App) to help guide those who want to harvest mushrooms on their own.
If you love mushrooms, but don’t know much about them, then it’s better to buy this delicacy in the store. There are 600 species of mushrooms in New York, and many of them are poisonous. Among them there are species that have poisonous twins, and it is very difficult to distinguish a yummy from a poison. If you still decide to go for mushrooms, then do not take and do not eat those of them in which you are not 100% sure.

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Where and how to pick mushrooms in New York

New York is not the first place that comes to mind when you imagine mushroom pickers. In the dense urban jungle, it is difficult to find a green area suitable for the growth of mushrooms. In addition, the collection of these eukaryotic organisms in New York is technically prohibited. However, if New Yorkers know how to do one thing, it is to be creative in the use of available space and find loopholes in existing city laws.

Across the metropolis, green spaces have sprouted from community gardens to rooftop co-ops. They redefine the boundaries of what is possible in the city and create places for environmentalists. That is why now in New York there are several ways to so-called quiet hunting without the risk of being arrested.

When is the best time to pick mushrooms in New York?

Mushrooms have a very short season when they can be harvested so that they retain their palatability. If harvested too early, they will be tasteless, and if harvested too late, they will be sour and inedible.

When is mushroom season in New York? As you may have guessed, it depends on the weather conditions and the type of mushroom you are hunting for.

Depending on the type of mushroom, there are many conditions that should be considered in order to determine when to pick them in New York. But it is important to understand that all types of mushrooms grow in the Big Apple: winter, spring, summer and autumn. Therefore, the season essentially lasts all year round, you just need to go for different mushrooms.

As a rule, mushrooms can be found in yards, gardens, forests, and even in designated areas in parks. They grow under trees, on living and dead trees, in compost heaps, in gardens, etc.

On the subject: You can play chess and checkers for free in Central Park: the playground was reopened after repairs

Mushroom picking laws in New York

New York State parks have strict laws regarding mushroom picking. Formally, for their collection, you can get a fine of up to $ 250. Although this is not obvious to everyone: if you look at the laws, then everything is written there as if the collection of plants and flowers is prohibited, and mushrooms are an exception. But they often write that people were still fined, and covering up with ignorance does not always help.

But this does not stop the townspeople, and entire groups of quiet hunters have formed in New York.

Photo: IStock

New York Mycological Society

Those who want to start their mushroom adventure should contact the New York Mycological Society. Founded in 1962 by composer John Cage, the society has been lecturing on the scientific and culinary benefits of mushrooms for over 50 years. For the same number of years, the society organizes mushroom walks (expeditions for mushrooms). They run throughout New York, including Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx and Clow Lakes Park on Staten Island. Walking time is usually 5-6 hours.

Since this is a club, it has an annual membership fee of $20.

mushroom tour

If you’re more into one-off walks, check out Steve Brill, aka Wildman Bill. This person collects all edible plants, not just mushrooms. He has been leading New York City tours for over thirty years, including Central and Prospect Park.

Wildman, like the Mycological Society, is committed to making the public aware of the benefits of fungi and edible plants that people commonly consider weeds. He has written several cookbooks on the subject and even created an app (The Wild Edibles Forage App) to help guide those who want to harvest mushrooms on their own.

If you love mushrooms, but don’t know much about them, then it’s better to buy this delicacy in the store. There are 600 species of mushrooms in New York, and many of them are poisonous. Among them there are species that have poisonous twins, and it is very difficult to distinguish a yummy from a poison. If you still decide to go for mushrooms, then do not take and do not eat those of them in which you are not 100% sure.

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