Castilla y León mushroom season depends on upcoming rainfall

The mushroom harvesting season in Castilla y León is expected to begin in earnest in the coming weeks, contingent on upcoming rainfall. According to technicians from Micocyl, managed by the Cesefor Foundation, while early October rains initially moistened the soil, recent high temperatures between 27 and 30 degrees Celsius have caused it to dry out again.

Experts note that for significant production to occur, the mycelium requires two to three weeks of consistent soil moisture. Consequently, the response to rain is not immediate and varies across different terrains. Mountainous areas, such as the Cantabrian beech forests and high-altitude pine forests, currently offer the best conditions due to fog and shade helping to retain moisture.

In contrast, the sandy soils of the Tierra de Pinares in Valladolid and Segovia remain very dry and require more precipitation. While the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) predicts a drop in temperatures and potential light frosts in the interior, there remains high uncertainty regarding the distribution of rainfall, which will ultimately dictate the timing and location of the harvest.