A warm summer day, the coolness of a shady forest, the grunt of invisible birds and the sun's rays breaking through the green crown. How nice it is in such an environment to engage in “silent hunting, ” as mushroom picking is also called! But every business has its own wisdom. So here, in order not to harm nature and yourself, you need to know how to properly pick mushrooms, what to take with you to the forest and how to distinguish a useful find from a dangerous one.
The most fruitful time is considered the end of summer (August) and the beginning of autumn (September). If it rains warmly, then the likelihood that you will not return from a hike with an empty basket increases. Mushrooms at this time appear in huge quantities. But, setting off in search of them, one should remember some of their important features. First of all, they are able, like a sponge, to absorb all the elements from the environment, including those harmful to humans. Therefore, experienced mushroom pickers, when asked where it is better to pick mushrooms, are advised to go away from the city, from manufacturing enterprises and highways, to ecologically clean forest. It is also worth avoiding railway tracks. The best option is a forest beyond the city limits.
Beginners in the “silent hunt” experience difficulties, not knowing how to properly pick mushrooms and how to equip themselves for hiking in the forest. It’s better to go at dawn. Experienced people are advised to wear boots, windcheaters and a headdress. This will protect against moisture, stinging insects and ticks. It is better to take a bucket or wicker basket with you. In such containers, the mushrooms will not suffer and will not break. Do not put mushrooms in plastic bags. Firstly, they can quickly crumble, and secondly, there is a risk of developing toxic bacteria.
Experienced "hunters" in the know how to pick mushrooms, and always take a knife with them. With its help, you can very carefully cut off the gifts of nature. On the contrary, there are simply unacceptable methods. For example, mushrooms cannot be collected using a small rake. Some people use this method when searching for a dry breast. He is hiding underground. At the same time, the mycelium is disturbed, and next year the mushrooms no longer grow here. Also, do not unscrew them for the same reason, if you suddenly forgot a knife at home. You can carefully rake foliage and grass with a horned stick.
Information about which mushrooms can be collected can be found in the directories. It is enough to list a few basic characteristics of these gifts of nature, which are worth paying attention to. First of all, you can collect them only if you have accurate confidence. At the slightest doubt, it is better to abandon the find. An unknown mushroom may be poisonous. Do not put in your basket a rotten or worm-affected specimen. The verification method is very simple. It is enough to look under the hat and cut its leg.
Knowing how to properly pick mushrooms is not enough. They are not stored for long, only two to three hours. Therefore, immediately after returning from the forest, they must be processed: cleaned, washed. It is recommended to soak some - throttles, breasts. Others - boil (oily, white, chanterelles, boletus, etc.).
