John Miller
Button mushrooms, or Agaricus bisporus, are one of the most commercially significant fungal species worldwide. They are also one of the easiest mushrooms to grow at home, making them a popular choice for hobby farmers and home gardeners. In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about harvesting button mushrooms, from the ideal growing conditions to the perfect time to pick them. We will also explore the different techniques you can use to harvest these mushrooms and how to care for them post-harvest.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common name | Button mushroom |
| Scientific name | Agaricus bisporus |
| Ease of cultivation | Easy to grow |
| Space requirements | Minimal space required for indoor cultivation |
| Yield | Multiple harvests from a single setup |
| Growth cycle | Begins with microscopic spores that germinate into thread-like mycelium, which forms primordia (pins) that develop into mature fruiting bodies |
| Varieties | White button, cremini (brown), portobello |
| Nutritional profile | Significant quantities of B vitamins, potassium, selenium, and copper, with minimal caloric content |
| Growth duration | 3-4 weeks to start sprouting, an additional 1-2 weeks to reach harvest size |
| Harvesting technique | Twist out of the soil or cut with a sharp knife just below where the cap meets the stem |
| Growth environment | Requires nitrogen-rich, damp soil, no sunlight |
| Commercial significance | One of the most commercially significant fungal species worldwide |
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What You'll Learn
Harvesting at the right time
Harvesting button mushrooms at the right time is key to getting a good yield with the best possible flavor and texture. The ideal time to harvest will depend on the variety of mushroom being grown. For example, the ideal time to harvest oyster mushrooms is when the caps begin to uncurl and flatten, but before they become too flat.
When harvesting button mushrooms, you are trying to balance letting them grow in size to get a good yield without letting them become too mature. Bigger isn't always better! Signs of maturity in mushrooms are generally the caps flattening or becoming convex and the gills enlarging and dropping spores.
Button mushrooms are ready to harvest about a month after planting. They should be harvested by twisting them out of the soil when you are ready to eat them. If you don't want to twist them, you can use a sharp knife to cut through the stem, just below where the cap meets the stem. Mushrooms can be harvested about three to four weeks after the mycelium starts sprouting them, and they will continue to grow for up to six months.
During the growing period, while you pick the mushrooms, look for any fogging. Fogging means mushrooms that have gone soft. You need to remove these, as well as any old mushroom stems or spongy material attached to them.
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Twisting mushrooms from the soil
Button mushrooms are one of the easier types of mushrooms to grow. They don't require sunlight, which is ideal for indoor gardeners. They can also be grown at any time of year, even in winter.
Button mushrooms grow best in nitrogen-rich manure, such as horse manure. To create an indoor bed for your mushrooms, fill a wooden box that's at least 6 inches (15 cm) deep with manure. Leave a few inches (8-9 cm) of space below the rim of the box. Spread the inoculated material from your kit on the top of the soil and mist it thoroughly. Keep your bed in the dark, damp, and warm—around 70°F (21°C)—for the next few weeks. After a few weeks, you should notice a fine white webbing on the surface of the bed. This is called mycelium, and it's the start of your mushroom colony.
Cover your mycelium with a couple of inches (5 cm) of damp potting soil or peat—this is called casing. Lower the bed's temperature to 55°F (12°C). Make sure to keep the bed moist. It may help to cover the whole thing with plastic wrap or a few layers of wet newspaper.
When button mushrooms are mature, the cap pops open. When you're ready to harvest, twist the mushrooms out of the soil. If you don't want to twist them, use a sharp knife to cut through the stem, just below where the cap meets the stem. During the growing period, while you pick the mushrooms, look for any fogging. Fogging means mushrooms that have gone soft. You need to remove these as well as any old mushroom stems or spongy material attached to them.
Fill in the empty space with more casing to make way for new mushrooms. Your bed should continue to produce mushrooms for 3 to 6 months.
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Using a knife to cut the stem
When harvesting button mushrooms, it is important to use a sterile knife to cut at substrate level. Take care to avoid removing any substrate material, as this can damage future flushes. Mycologists recommend cutting the stem as close to the base as possible to prevent infection.
To begin, place the mushroom stem-side down on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, slice the mushroom in half. Then, rotate the mushroom 90 degrees and slice it in half again. This technique is perfect for preparing mushrooms for roasting or sautéing.
If you are looking to incorporate the stems into your dish, simply trim off any dried-out parts of the stem ends before cutting the mushrooms into slices of your desired size. You can also quarter the mushrooms by slicing them in half, turning them 90 degrees, and then slicing them into quarters.
For a different shape, you can try slicing the mushroom into cubes. First, place a stemmed mushroom on its side and slice it in half without cutting all the way through. Then, rotate the mushroom so that the stem side is facing down again and slice it into 1/4-inch thick sections, being careful not to cut all the way to the edge. Finally, rotate the mushroom 90 degrees and chop the sections into cubes.
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Removing fogging and old stems
Fogging is a term used to describe mushrooms that have gone soft. Mushrooms that have fogged, as well as old stems and spongy material, need to be removed from the bed. This process is important to ensure that the mushroom bed continues to produce mushrooms for 3 to 6 months.
To identify fogging, gently touch the mushrooms and feel for any softness. Mushrooms that have gone soft need to be removed. It is important to act quickly as fogging can spread to other mushrooms. Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the fogged mushrooms at the base of the stem. Cut just below where the cap meets the stem. Alternatively, you can try to twist the mushroom out of the soil, but be careful not to disturb the casing soil too much.
Old stems can be removed in a similar way. Cut or twist them out, taking care not to damage the surrounding mushrooms and casing soil. Spongy material should also be removed as it can affect the health of the bed. Use your fingers or a small tool to gently lift and remove any soft, spongy growths attached to the old stems.
Once you have removed the fogged mushrooms, old stems, and spongy material, fill in the empty spaces with fresh, sterilized casing material. Water the area and maintain the appropriate temperature, humidity, and light conditions for your mushrooms. With proper care, your mushroom bed will continue to produce a bountiful harvest.
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Filling empty spaces with casing
To fill empty spaces with casing, start by allowing your mushroom colony to develop. This involves creating the right conditions for your mushrooms to grow. Button mushrooms require a temperature of around 70°F (21°C) and a humid, dark, and warm environment. You can achieve this by covering your growing container with plastic wrap or wet newspaper.
After a few weeks, you should notice a fine white webbing on the surface of the bed, called mycelium. This is the start of your mushroom colony. At this point, you can cover your mycelium with a couple of inches (5 cm) of damp potting soil or peat—this is called the casing layer.
Lower the temperature to around 55°F (12°C) and maintain the moisture in the casing layer. You can do this by covering the container with plastic wrap or wet newspaper to help retain moisture. In about a month, you should start to see mushrooms growing.
Once you've harvested your mushrooms, you can fill in the empty spaces with more casing to make way for new mushrooms. Simply add a thin layer of casing material, such as coco coir, peat moss, or vermiculite, and spray it with water to ensure it is fully hydrated. This will provide the necessary environment for your next crop of mushrooms to grow.
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Frequently asked questions
When the mushrooms are mature, the cap pops open. The ideal size for harvesting button mushrooms is when the caps measure 2.5 to 4 cm across and are still closed.
It takes about a month for the mushrooms to start appearing. After that, it takes about 1-2 weeks for the mushrooms to grow large enough to harvest.
You can harvest button mushrooms by twisting them out of the soil. Alternatively, you can use a sharp knife to cut through the stem, just below where the cap meets the stem.
