After a summer of extreme temperatures, a mushroom explosion is on the way: experts predict a record autumn for fungi

After a summer of extreme heat and drought across much of Europe, autumn rainfall could trigger an explosion of mushrooms, according to British experts.

Experts at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), one of the UK’s leading horticultural organisations, predict that Europe will experience an exceptional fungal season this autumn.

The organisation points out that the combination of water stress accumulated over the summer and the recovery of soil moisture following autumn rainfall means the mushroom season is promising.

Why do so many mushrooms appear after a record-breaking hot summer?

During the driest months, a lack of water limits the growth of many fungi and makes it harder for their reproductive structures to emerge. However, the organism does not necessarily disappear and, in many cases, continues to live underground or inside wood, forming an extensive network of filaments known as mycelium.

As a result, when suitable moisture and temperature conditions return, some of these organisms can develop rapidly. This is why rainfall following a dry period can trigger a striking emergence of fungi.

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