Field Fare

We have enjoyed the free harvest of field mushrooms at the allotments over the last couple of months. Some of you will have noticed them growing on the grass track near the manure heap, which offers ideal growing conditions.

We have tried many times to grow mushrooms ourselves, using imported spores, both at home and on the allotment, but without success. Ironic then, that these have just decided to grow here without help from anyone.

As with all mushrooms, we first ascertained that they were in fact field mushrooms and therefore safe to eat. Always check two points of reference to identify your mushrooms before harvesting them. Mushrooms should be cut with a knife rather than pulled up. Unfortunately, in this case, the vandals who have recently driven on the allotment track also destroyed the remaining mushrooms so we will have to wait until next year now to see if any more grow back.

Submitted by Tigger