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2020 MD MOREL SEASON

52K views 289 replies 47 participants last post by  redfred 
#1 ·
Well it’s almost that time again. Hope everyone has a great season. Good luck to all!
 
#5 ·
Refresh my memory . . . was MD20-20 related to latitude?

We're about the same latitude over here in Buckeye Nation . . .
and I remember MD 2020 from . . . well . . . back then . . . so, maybe it's an era item and a latitude item?
Yes it has everything to do with latitude (or is it attitude) but nothing to do with Mason Dixon.. As far as the era thing I was wondering that myself (do they still make that crap).. I may just need to see if I can find it at my local libation store. So I googled it and yep it’s still around but just looking at a photo of the bottle gave me a headache...... Cured that itch....
 
#17 ·
I took a walk today it was nice out . I went to one of my early spots I figured I get some ground temps .. The high was 50 the low was 45 the average was 48 that was 4" down... Looking around I did not see one mayapple or fiddle head up. Most of the skunk cabbage was just poking threw and very little leafed out. The only ting of color in the trees was a little red from the tops of a few maples I saw. This could be an interesting year..
Flowering plant Flower Plant Spring Grass family
Orienteering Soil Running Geocaching Geology
 
#20 ·
I took a walk yesterday as well and checked ground temps in some different areas — they just about mirrored yours Fred. Highest reading was a hair under 51 with 48-49 being the average. I did see some forsythia just starting and a redbud that looked about one good warm, sunny day out from popping. It’s been fairly wet over the past few months I know but with zero snow this winter, I’m hoping it was good enough to tickle those threads. I’m thinking another two weeks maybe less if we get some sustained warmth. How about in past years with zero snow, did it noticeably affect hauls, timing of the first ones?
 

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#22 ·
I have not checked it against a pH strip. If you follow the instructions that came with the meter you need to dig up a small area and saturate it with distilled water to get an accurate reading.. This is true to get any kind of reading for pH or Fertility.From today after checking temp. I'd switch the button to check pH or fertility and no reading .. From check in the back yard it does work or at least move in the way you think it would.. I was checking it against a few thermometers today to get an idea of it's accuracy for temp .. within 1 degree I think.. Would I recommend it... no.. Like so many things when we we try to do to much we do nothing well. PS .. since I'm in Carroll Co. if I come across your meter I will let you know what the last reading is.... your welcome..
 
#24 ·
I should have told you this before. I got the meter last year and usually stick it in the ground and give it a couple of minutes to acclimate. I guess I wandered to far or lost track of time but it took me 20 min. to find it.. How was yours working before you misplaced it?
 
#27 ·
Some people have morel fever pretty bad. Way to early but it never hurts to look at habitat. It's almost always mid April until morels appear in any quantity.
Gerbilrancher- there are many areas with huge Tulip Poplars around Loch Raven reservoir in Balt. county.
The amount of snow makes no difference. I've seen very snowy winters have poor spring yields due to no spring rains and record drought years have good following spring yields due to frequent spring rains. What counts is the amount of moisture in the month and last few weeks prior to normal fruitng time.
Ground temps are not a good indicator as they can change 3-4 or more degrees in a few hours depending on the item of the day, depth, hours of sunshine and other factors. I spent many years doing this before I found out it didn't help my finds. The mycelium is likely well below where oyur temp robe is and you'd have it take deep probes over a wide area to get anywhere near a good average. A south facing slope would have a different avg. temp. than a west facing slope, etc.
 
#30 ·
Some people have morel fever pretty bad. Way to early but it never hurts to look at habitat. It's almost always mid April until morels appear in any quantity.
Gerbilrancher- there are many areas with huge Tulip Poplars around Loch Raven reservoir in Balt. county.
The amount of snow makes no difference. I've seen very snowy winters have poor spring yields due to no spring rains and record drought years have good following spring yields due to frequent spring rains. What counts is the amount of moisture in the month and last few weeks prior to normal fruitng time.
Ground temps are not a good indicator as they can change 3-4 or more degrees in a few hours depending on the item of the day, depth, hours of sunshine and other factors. I spent many years doing this before I found out it didn't help my finds. The mycelium is likely well below where oyur temp robe is and you'd have it take deep probes over a wide area to get anywhere near a good average. A south facing slope would have a different avg. temp. than a west facing slope, etc.
If I had a choice I would much rather have the worst case of morel fever then the mildest case of corona-virus............ I'm not sure which one is more contagious ....
 
#32 · (Edited)
@TimG — Thanks for the input. In regards to the snow cover component, I did not mean to imply that snow was The governing factor for a decent morel yield, just asking if anyone could recall having a decent to banner year, preceded by a winter without a stitch of snow. And to your point, a mild winter followed by a wet spring can most certainly make for an awesome harvest, though it cannot be denied that a slow, constant trickle of moisture seeping into the ground by a melting snow pack, can turn what would otherwise be a mediocre haul into a stellar, pickup bed filling season. I know for a fact the states to the north of us benefit from exactly that and have been told the volume of their haul is linked directly to the ebb and flow of each year’s snow totals. I’d certainly rather see a dozen and a half mild spring storms across the state than a ferocious winter followed by a dry spring — so long as the rain is actually absorbed and it all doesn’t just end up in the creek at the bottom of the hill due to run off. Look at me, there I go ramblin again...

Don’t forget those eastern-facing slopes either, they too can shine bright in the morning dew. Here’s a link to what I’ve found to be the best online resource for up to date soil temperatures. Not for sure what elevation is to be assumed here, but since it’s coming from the Corn Growers Assoc., I’d think around sea-level or just above. Haven’t done much poking around on the site yet, let me know what you guys think.

Keep up that chatter y’all. I’ll post it here know when I dig my first ramp or see those fiddles-a-furlin’!! Be safe out there and remember, you can’t find em on the couch! Stay vigilant.

Cheers!
 
#36 ·
Well today was a good one. First one of the year. A little guy prob would’ve left him till next time. Being that I don’t a pocket full of receipts due to the current situation I brought it home where I had a newspaper. Don’t want the Mushroom PD to arrest me for falsifying information lol. Hopefully it’s the beginning of a good season for all.
Soil Leaf Plant Groundcover Grass
Leaf Organism Geology Plant community Plant
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#38 ·
Well today was a good one. First one of the year. A little guy prob would’ve left him till next time. Being that I don’t a pocket full of receipts due to the current situation I brought it home where I had a newspaper. Don’t want the Mushroom PD to arrest me for falsifying information lol. Hopefully it’s the beginning of a good season for all. View attachment 25740 View attachment 25742 View attachment 25744 [/QUOTE You have good eyes.. I hope you find some more..
 
#44 ·
Another false morel today... I think we just missed the early ones at our elevation, 1,000-1,200 ft. How far behind the false ones do you all think the blacks are and do you find both in the same areas? View attachment 25866
Green Stone I personally find false and blacks in the same area. I also hunt around a 1000’ elevation. Seems to me when I find false ones it’s normally no more than a week till I find black ones. But as Trahn 008 said I do find some false once the black ones show up as well. Keep checking and you should have some luck soon. Gotta keep on keeping on.
 
#45 ·
Found one this evening didn’t get a chance to snap a pic. Had to leave quickly. A friend text me he found 7 as well in one of his spots. And someone he knows found 30 a few days ago. So looks like they are popping up now. Hope to get back and check the area better tomorrow when I have more time see if I can’t find some
more.
 
#51 ·
Went for a walk this afternoon found 4 all in one area. Then didn’t find anything else and I looked for a few hrs. Wouldn’t mind seeing a few sunny days maybe it would help. Happy to get out and find a few. View attachment 26230 View attachment 26232 View attachment 26234
They look good always love to see the pictures. Like the pictures that are zoomed out some(it’s like playing where’s Waldo with morels). I may try and go find some today. Never have luck finding the black ones, always yellow and grays. Gonna try some higher ridges I guess and see if any luck there.
 
#55 ·
I was out today 1100’ creek bottom and different slopes facing all directions... nothing, just the same false morels holding up nicely. Still way behind, no may apple and skunk cabbage just staring to come up. Seeing the trout Lilly start to really fill in and the first couple blooms (the bulbs are really good right now). Lots of barberry really filling in.
 
#56 ·
I’ll bet when you first moved here and asked about morels not many people even knew what you were talking about. That just means more for we that know. Elms are rare around here but for sure check them if you see them. Last year I was finding them around dead Ash more then ever before. I look mainly for Poplars, large and lots of them. As far as dead Poplars, unless the tree was struck by lightning or suffered great wind damage I don’t think they produce more then live trees. Even with the damage they don’t produce as well as a dead Elm might. Mix in with the Poplars may be other trees the only one that seems to stop morels is the Oak. I’ve not had great success around Sycamore but know others that have. I hope this helps and best of luck...... What kind of success have you had your first 2 years???
Thanks for sharing your expertise. First year I found 10-20 and about 50 last year. Takes awhile to dial in spots but once you do they tend to produce in future years.
 
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