Morels - Know what they are? Do they grow here? (Denver: brokers, to buy)

[MGS]

Hello,

I am from Southern IN and spent 30 years in NC. We have recently moved to the area and this time of year I begin to think about Morels / "Mushrooms" as we called them in IN. Does anyone know about them? Do they grow here?

Morels, per wikipedia.

[rolo99]

Welcome to Colorado! I haven't heard of any growing here. I have been lucky enough to buy some on Craigslist from people who to go to Ogallala, Nebraska (3 hours NE of Denver) to find them. I usually buy a pound, which goes for about $20, once a year.

I'm from Michigan and used to be able to get them in my back yard. *sigh*

[lalahartma]

Actually a few came up in my yard in downtown CoS! But, we had a very wet spring/summer. I just saw them the one year.

[TohobitPeak]

If you want to hunt for morels then look further north and west and check out Idaho, the morel nirvana of the Rocky Mountains, Idaho has the best shroom hunting in the inland west. In fact I just purchased my mushroom permit at the local National Forest office and plan on hitting the forests later this month. One day last year a friend and I bagged nearly 80 pounds of morels north of Boise and sold them to mushroom brokers set up at campgrounds.

Pounds upon pounds of Idaho Morels are sold to chefs in fine restaurants all over the nation each year. Plan a trip and come up to the more forested and moister Northern Rockies this spring.

[lalahartma]

Yes, typically it is too dry in the CoS area for many mushrooms. After our very wet spring and summer last year, I nabbed some very nice puffballs, but that may have been a fluke.

[stephanie55207]

[quote=MGS;13656490]Hello,

I am from Southern IN and spent 30 years in NC. We have recently moved to the area and this time of year I begin to think about Morels / "Mushrooms" as we called them in IN. Does anyone know about them? Do they grow here?[/QUO.
i dk but i wish someone knew where i could find them here and at a reasonable price!!!

[chilaili]

I don't think morels specifically grow here. I do know you can buy them in Whole Foods at truly eye-watering prices

[MGS]

TohobitPeak, you well know that we are approaching morel season here in a couple months. Tell me more about the "permit". Is a permit purchased here in CO - valid in ID? I would like to know more about where you find such treasures. I've joked to my husband that - in heaven - my mansion will be right next door to the hugest morel patch ever seen! Feel free to private message me - if you'd be so inclined - as I am aware that if you give away your secret hunting spot - you'll have to kill me! <wink>

[lalahartma]

Follow the signs to collect morels

[mtngigi]

I had some 'shrooms that looked just like morels growing out of a very old, rotted tree stump in my yard a few years ago (in Manitou Springs) ... but though it was tempting, I didn't know enough about them to take the chance. Surprised the heck out of me to see them.