ST. LOUIS — The rain is good news for Missouri morel hunters. Soil temperatures are starting to warm up and the moist conditions may mean more mushrooms will pop up soon. Hunters have started posting pictures of their finds on social media. Many of those images are coming from southwestern portions of the state.
What makes morel mushrooms grow?
Temperature and moisture significantly influence fungi growth, particularly for morels, which thrive in specific conditions. They cannot grow in soil that is too warm or too cold; instead, they need moist soil.
Morels typically emerge in lower elevations during early spring and move to higher elevations as temperatures increase. The optimal conditions for morel growth include air temperatures of 60 degrees or higher and soil temperatures ranging between 45 and 50 degrees, along with some rain.
The forecast for Missouri
Portions of Missouri continue to feel the effects of a multi-year drought. While many of us enjoyed the warm weather in February, it caused rapid changes, leaving concerns for wildfires and the lack of soil moisture. FOX 2 reporter Emily Manley reports that the Drought Assessment Committee, made up of state and federal agencies, met Thursday to discuss what’s next for the state.
The good news is that more rain is in the forecast for March. It needs to be higher than normal to make up for the dry spell the state is already in. One of the state’s largest industries is worried that if the state doesn’t get more rainfall this spring, farmers will be forced to make even tougher decisions than last year.
Meteorologist Chris Higgins says that rain will continue to fall in the St. Louis area into this evening. It looks like the regions should get an average of about an inch of rain.
When does morel mushroom hunting season start?
“With a chance of showers again today, and later next week, it’s shaping up for a great start to the season. I foresee the majority of our southern counties and maybe even some central counties popping up on the map in the coming days,” states Ron, the owner of Missouri’s largest morel hunting Facebook page.
As temperatures climb in the spring, mushrooms start to sprout in the south and then pop up in the north. See if mushroom season has started in your area by checking this map.
Images of the mushrooms are finding their way to social media. If you find a morel mushroom, make sure to tag FOX2Now in your post. Make sure not to reveal your location because you don’t want others to find your secret spot. Mushrooms are likely to grow back their later in the season and next year.
Where can you find morel mushrooms?
Morels can often be found in forests under logs or near trees, often first on the southern side due to soil temperature changes. The mushrooms are commonly found near certain trees, such as sycamore, hickory, ash, elm, and apple trees. Moist environments near water bodies like rivers, creeks, or ponds are ideal, and areas with recent burns or disturbances are also key locations for morel growth.
Note: The video in this report is from April 2020.