Foraging calendar · spring
Mushrooms in May: what to forage in the forest
May: green harvests, dandelion flowers and the first meadow mushrooms
Edible mushrooms in May
11 species from the atlas.
Chicken of the woodsLaetiporus sulphureusEdible with care
Common inkcapCoprinopsis atramentariaEdible with care
Fairy ring champignonMarasmius oreadesEdible
Field mushroomAgaricus campestrisEdible
Jelly earAuricularia auricula-judaeEdible
PorciniBoletus edulisEdible
Scarletina boleteNeoboletus erythropusEdible with care
Shaggy inkcapCoprinus comatusEdible
Sheathed woodtuftKuehneromyces mutabilisEdible
Slippery jackSuillus luteusEdible
Summer cepBoletus reticulatusEdibleDeadly fibrecap, False morel, Sulphur tuft, Yellow stainer. Check what they are mistaken for before anything goes into your basket.
Herbs and fruit in May
Seasonal jobs for May
- Dandelion flower syrup, and young leaves for salads.
- Pine shoots for syrup: the Piaski forest district office (Nadleśnictwo Piaski; State Forests, 2025) states that gathering them in the State Forests without a permit is prohibited. Pulling off shoots in someone else's forest counts as damaging a tree (Code of Petty Offences (Kodeks wykroczeń), art. 153). Pick from your own trees or ask at the forest district office (nadleśnictwo).
- For a walk in the forest: long trousers, high boots and an insect repellent that also protects against ticks (GIS – Chief Sanitary Inspectorate).
Frequently asked questions
Are there mushrooms in May?
Yes. In May the species that usually fruit include: Chicken of the woods, Common inkcap, Fairy ring champignon, Field mushroom, Jelly ear, Porcini, Scarletina bolete, Shaggy inkcap, Sheathed woodtuft, Slippery jack, Summer cep. How many you will find depends on rain and temperature over the past few weeks – check today's mushroom forecast.
Which poisonous mushrooms grow in May?
Watch out especially for: Deadly fibrecap, False morel, Sulphur tuft, Yellow stainer.