Mushroom Hunter's Calendar for September 14–20, 2026: Where and What Kinds of Mushrooms to Pick at the Height of the Fall Season

UA NEWS 14 September 2026 07:15

September is rightly considered the golden season for lovers of quiet hunting, and the week of September 14–20 marks the true peak of the fall mushroom season in Ukrainian forests. The combination of moderate daytime warmth, cooler nights, and abundant morning dew creates the ideal environment for active mushroom growth.

During this period, the forest soil retains sufficient moisture, and the first fallen leaves create a natural protective layer under which numerous fruiting bodies of both rare and common edible mushrooms form.

The beginning of the week, September 14–15, is the best time to look for porcini, honey mushrooms, and birch mushrooms in mixed and deciduous forests. Pay special attention to well-lit clearings, sun-warmed forest edges, and areas along old forest trails. Porcini mushrooms often hide among the moss near the roots of old oaks and pines at this time, while boletes and birch boletes appear in large numbers under young birches and aspens. It is recommended to pick them early in the morning, before the first rays of the sun have dried the dew and while the mushrooms are still at their most firm and juicy.

In the middle of the week, from September 16–18, there is a surge in the growth of coniferous species, particularly butter mushrooms, Polish mushrooms, and red caps. Large clusters of butter mushrooms appear in young pine plantations and on sandy soils; they’re best found on open hillsides and along forest clearings. Polish mushrooms and red-capped boletes prefer the more humid areas of dense coniferous forest, where a layer of fallen needles maintains a stable temperature. At the same time, in moist ravines and low-lying areas of deciduous forest, autumn honey mushrooms begin to ripen en masse, covering old stumps, fallen tree trunks, and exposed roots.

The end of the week, September 19 and 20, is ideal for picking honey mushrooms and russula, as well as for large-scale harvesting of honey mushrooms for the winter. Honey mushrooms grow in large clusters, allowing you to quickly fill your baskets at just a few promising spots. When foraging, it’s important to follow safety rules: cut the mushrooms with a sharp knife or carefully twist them out of the ground to avoid damaging the mycelium, and use only woven baskets to ensure proper air circulation. It is strictly forbidden to pick unfamiliar or questionable mushrooms, as well as those growing near roads or industrial facilities.