Fun times for fungi! Wet summer brings more mushroom growth to Calgary
Posted Jul 31, 2025 3:04 pm.
Last Updated Jul 31, 2025 3:08 pm.
A recent stretch of wet, gloomy weather has kept many Calgarians inside this summer, but the soggy forecast has allowed something else to thrive.
The Alberta Mycological Society says the conditions have created the perfect environment for mushrooms to flourish and residents are likely noticing them popping out from the ground within the city.
It’s something that isn’t typical.
“We don’t get this many mushrooms within the city of Calgary, simply because it’s dry,” says Nadia Shiwdin, membership coordinator with the Alberta Mycological Society. “Usually, when we go foraging we are going outside of city limits.”
Shiwdin says most mushrooms are not dangerous, but urges Calgarians to be “spore-aware.”
“If you see them growing in your yard and you have young children and pets, I recommend picking them up and putting them in the compost so your pets or children don’t eat them,” says Shiwdin.
If a pet or child does consume a mushroom, Shiwdin says the best practice is to document it and take photos of the type so it can be properly identified.
Anyone who has health concerns should contact 811.
