About Growing MyMorels

In The Beginning…

My wife has extolled the virtues of morel mushrooms to me for a very long time. Well, instead of paying $100 a pound for the darn things, I though I’d put my farmer skills to the test and actually grow our own morel mushrooms.

We live in Seattle, Washington. We have a suitable backyard upon which to begin this experiment - there is a greenbelt behind our house, populated only by curious (sometimes demanding) raccoons, squirrels, and blue jays. Occasionally, the neighbor’s meany white cat shows up and sets our own three cats’ fur on edge.

This experiment begins in early October, 2007. I’ve selected and ordered two starter spore packs from two different internet suppliers. Both cost around $29 each, both claim to provide enough morel spores to cover a 4′ by 4′ area.

I don’t know much about morel mushrooms beyond this: It takes about a year for the mushroom mycelium, the underground ‘base’ to take root. Just like every other fungi, the subterranean base must grow before the mushroom ‘fruit’ ever develop. Imagine an apple tree, with the tree and branches underground. The first year, I understand, the base grows. The first morel harvest won’t begin until the second spring. Morel mushrooms thrive in mild climates, and do well when there’s a significant weather difference from winter to spring.