Lunar calendar for mushroom picking for May 2026

Gathering mushrooms is an activity that requires not only knowledge about mushrooms, but also the ability to choose the right time for ‘quiet hunting’. Many mushroom pickers have long noticed that the Moon affects the growth of mushrooms, and now, going to the forest, more and more often check the lunar calendar.

The most favourable time for collecting mushrooms is the period of the waxing Moon. During this period there is an active growth of mushrooms, and the chances of a rich catch are greatly increased. On the waning Moon, the growth of mushrooms slows down, so such days are less successful for trips to the forest.

However, if you plan to prepare mushrooms for winter, it is best to start this process on the waning Moon. During this period, mushrooms are better preserved and retain their flavour and nutritional properties. This is especially important for mushrooms that are going to be dried, frozen or pickled.

Interestingly, mushrooms can grow even in winter, if it is warm enough. It is important to remember that before ‘quiet hunting’ it is worth not only checking with the lunar calendar, but also take into account the weather. Large precipitation, which fell a few days before the hike, favours the active growth of mushrooms, and this approach can significantly increase your catch.

For the rest of 2024, the favourable days for mushroom picking are as follows:

In September: from the 18th to the 30th of the month.

In October: from the 17th to the 30th of the month.

In November: from the 16th to the 29th of the month.

However, when picking mushrooms, be especially careful: only pick mushrooms that you know well and avoid damaged or dodgy specimens. The wrong choice can lead to unpleasant health consequences. Make sure that your catch consists of whole, healthy and tested mushrooms.

Date	Moon Day	Moon phases	Lunar Zodiac	Element
1	15	🌓	♏	Bad
2	16	🌕	♏	Bad
3	17	🌗	♏	Bad
4	18	🌗	♐	Bad
5	19	🌗	♐	Bad
6	20	🌗	♑	Horrible
7	21	🌗	♑	Horrible
8	22	🌗	♑	Horrible
9	23	🌗	♒	Horrible
10	24	🌘	♒	Horrible
11	25	🌘	♓	Bad
12	26	🌘	♓	Bad
13	27	🌘	♓	Bad
14	28	🌘	♈	Bad
15	29	🌘	♈	Bad
16	30	🌘	♉	Average
17	2	🌑	♉	Great
18	3	🌒	♊	Great
19	4	🌒	♊	Great
20	5	🌒	♋	Great
21	6	🌒	♋	Good
22	7	🌒	♌	Good
23	8	🌒	♌	Good
24	9	🌓	♍	Good
25	10	🌓	♍	Average
26	11	🌓	♎	Average
27	12	🌓	♎	Average
28	13	🌓	♎	Average
29	14	🌓	♏	Average
30	15	🌓	♏	Bad
31	16	🌓	♐	Bad

Favorable days of the lunar calendar for pick mushrooms for May 2026

17 May (2 lunar day)
18 May (3 lunar day)
19 May (4 lunar day)
20 May (5 lunar day)

Good days of the lunar calendar for pick mushrooms for May 2026

21 May (6 lunar day)
22 May (7 lunar day)
23 May (8 lunar day)
24 May (9 lunar day)

Neutral days of the lunar calendar for pick mushrooms for May 2026

16 May (30 lunar day)
25 May (10 lunar day)
26 May (11 lunar day)
27 May (12 lunar day)
28 May (13 lunar day)
29 May (14 lunar day)

Bad days of the lunar calendar for pick mushrooms for May 2026

1 May (15 lunar day)
2 May (16 lunar day)
3 May (17 lunar day)
4 May (18 lunar day)
5 May (19 lunar day)
11 May (25 lunar day)
12 May (26 lunar day)
13 May (27 lunar day)
14 May (28 lunar day)
15 May (29 lunar day)
30 May (15 lunar day)
31 May (16 lunar day)

The worst days of the lunar calendar for pick mushrooms for May 2026

6 May (20 lunar day)
7 May (21 lunar day)
8 May (22 lunar day)
9 May (23 lunar day)
10 May (24 lunar day)