Micro Morels 2013

Morels 4/17/13 (c) 2013 HVI

It is really nice to be fortunate enough to have morels pop up in your own yard every year. This enables you to know exactly what is going on in your area. The morels in the photo on the left came up this morning. They may be a quarter of an inch tall and you would never see them if you didn't know exactly where to look.

My first yard morels emerged yesterday morning (4/16/13) and as always; my first asparagus shoots came up later in the afternoon. I am guessing that asparagus needs slightly warmer soil temperatures than does the morels. It couldn't be more than a degree or two. Over the past 14 years, they have never failed to come up on the same day; the morels are always first in the late morning with asparagus following the same afternoon.

Asparagus 4/16/13 (c) HVI

I never get a big picking of morels from the yard, I think the fewest I have ever gotten was around 10. I believe the record was 22 or so; but it is good to know that I can count on them to tell when to search more productive areas.

Morels 4/16/13 (c) HVI

First Morels

I picked my first morels of the season today. They emerged in my yard on March 24; the asparagus popped up on the same day. I will have enough of both for a meal this evening. I'm letting the asparagus grow a little more today; before tonight's' frost. Someone actually took three of my morels which were visible from the road; yesterday. That was a first for me.

It is now time to scour the hillsides in search of the elusive fungi. Most searches result in more exercise than mushrooms, but that is a good thing. I don't know about you, but I tend to find the most morels in association with ash trees. Good Luck !!

Posted by High Virginia Outdoors Photo by High Virginia Images (c) 2012 All Rights Reserved

Micro-Morels

The morels in my yard popped up, this morning! (3-24-12) They are a full 3 weeks ahead of schedule for this location. Over the last 5 years my asparagus and morels have emerged on the same day. the morels are always up first. I will check the asparagus a little later this afternoon; nothing yet.

I had singing Pine Warblers this morning, too. I normally do not see them here until around April 5. The serviceberry bushes are blooming now , also. They too are also a little early this year. I have yet to see a hummingbird show up, but it will probably be any day, now. Hummingbirds, morels and asparagus are normally real close. The toads are singing and the catbirds will be next.



Posted by High Virginia Outdoors (c) All Rights Reserved 2012.

Spring Has Now Officially Arrived

It is now officially Spring.  The Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrived here on April 20 and the first batch of morels and asparagus were picked and consumed on April 21.  I have never been one to get excited about the generic Spring in March.  But, these are the signs that I wait for.  Happy Spring !!






Posted by High Virginia Outdoors

When Spring; Springs

When is Spring ? Yeah, the calender says March 20 and that may be true in the Deep South, but it doesn't apply to the High Virginia's. For a few years, I have been trying to figure out when the morels emerge. I have finally discovered the first day of Spring; for wherever you may call home.

I noticed that morels and asparagus make their initial emergence at the same time; apparently from the strength of the sun warming the soil enough to trigger growth. This also coincides with the first Ruby-throated Hummingbird sighting of the year.

Now don't go out and expect to find a full-grown edible morel at this time. You need to know exactly where they are, just to see them barely peeking through the grass. It will be a week or more before they are of picking size. But when the first asparagus pokes through the soil, so does the little bald head of the morel.  It is now time to put out your hummingbird feeders too.

When is this magic day ?  Here, in my yard it is April 18-20, the true first day of Spring.

How to Find Morels