After we sorted the mushrooms brought in from our walks, we discarded rotting or less desirable specimens. I decided to take home all the throw aways to add to my compost pile with the knowledge that they would at least assist in the breakdown of the shredded leaves, grass clippings and vegetable and fruit leftovers from food preparation. If I am very lucky, some of the spores of the over two hundred species of fungi in the triple layered heavy duty landscape bags will survive and like the compost and my garden, perhaps contributing to the the vigor of the plants. And if I am extremely lucky, maybe some of the mycelium will eventually sprout mushtooms!

And yes, despite the layers of bags, my car was stinky for days! Decomposing fungi smell a lot like fermenting horseradish. Fortunately my navigator-passenger, Diane Alden, didn't notice the odor, too much. It is nice to have patient and understanding friends!