Did you know that... The largest mushroom specimen that has been found so far is 10 m high, 80 cm wide and weighs almost half a ton , and its age is estimated at 20 years! The mushroom season is slowly ending, so it is worth taking advantage of the last moments without frost and try it. your strength in mushroom picking. So here are some tips on how to start your adventure.
Appropriate clothing - protection against bites 
The forest is a place where various creatures live, and we should be especially careful with some of them to avoid unpleasantness. Therefore, it is worth equipping yourself with protective clothing:
- Long-sleeved blouse
- Rain jacket
- Comfortable shoes with a higher upper
- A cap or hat
- Additionally, using insect repellents will be helpful.
Why and how to collect mushrooms? Combine comfort with capacity!
Wicker baskets for mushrooms can become heavy after some time, and they tire your hands and burden your joints. Plastic bags produce substances harmful to our health. What to choose in such a case?
Nylon bags are new on the mushroom market, they are light, durable and allow mushrooms to "Breathe". Additionally, they are relatively cheap and come in various sizes. We also recommend "Parisian" cotton mesh bags . They are perfect for larger specimens of mushrooms and will allow you to get rid of the contents of the forest floor in the bag. The mushroom you find should be gently unscrewed so that the mycelium is not damaged and a new one grows in its place. Do not use knives because the handle left behind will rot, eliminating the chance of the fungus appearing the next day.
Rules for picking mushrooms.
- 1. If you are not sure about a mushroom or don't know it, don't pick it!
- 2. As a beginner, only collect tubular mushrooms.
- 3. Do not tear out the mycelium and do not dig up the litter
- 4. Don't try mushrooms to see if they are edible!
- 5. Do not give mushrooms to small children - mushrooms are difficult to digest and children are more susceptible to poisoning than adults.
Preparing mushrooms - proven recipes 
You managed to pick some mushrooms, but now what? Here are some ideas for simple and tasty dishes using wild mushrooms
- Mushrooms in cream sauce
Wash the mushrooms, cut them into strips, and then simmer in a heated pan with butter and fried onion for about 20 minutes. Add salt, pepper and parsley and whiten the mushrooms with 18% cream. After boiling, you can serve them with potato pancakes.
- Cream soup with croutons
Prepare the croutons, wash and clean the mushrooms, then cut them into smaller pieces along with the potatoes. Cut the garlic and onion into thin slices. Fry all the ingredients in a pan and then 
pour broth and cook. Remove the soup from the heat and blend until creamy. Serve with croutons.
- Mushrooms in vinegar
Wash and clean the mushrooms, then place them in salted water and cook for 10 minutes. In the second pot, prepare the brine, pour vinegar, water, cut onions and salt, sugar, bay leaf and allspice together with mustard. Strain and rinse the mushrooms with cold water. Place them in sterilized jars and pour the marinade over them, then close them tightly. Turn the jars upside down or cook for about 15 minutes.
First aid
If you feel unwell after eating mushrooms and experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and fever, immediately call 999 or 112. You can induce vomiting, but do not drink milk or alcohol! Do not underestimate the signs of poisoning, a quick reaction can save your life! Mushrooms should be avoided by: Pregnant women, children under 14 years of age, elderly people or people with digestive problems. Mushroom picking is a unique experience, it brings a lot of joy, it also calms and calms down, but remember to go mushroom picking wisely and not to behave in a way that destroys the natural environment of other creatures living there.