How to score morel mushrooms during Iowa's picking season

Iowa's coveted lil' fungi friends are ripe for the picking right now, if you're observant enough to find them.

What's happening: Morel mushrooms are popping up across central Iowa, but the state's recent cold snap will make hunting them more difficult, said Steve Roberts, head of the popular Facebook page, Iowa Morel Report.

• The third week of April is typically the height of the season here, Roberts said. It ends the week after Mother's Day.

This year's problem: The ground temperature has been cold.

• While resilient grass and weeds are growing taller, our sensitive mushroom friends are taking longer to poke their heads up.
• That means finding these gray and yellow buddies will be tough. And they're worth top dollar right now: $40 to $70 a pound.
• "This ain't good," Roberts said.

🍄 If you're determined to go hunting, here's some some tips from the Iowa DNR.