Laura Smith
Mushrooms are a fleshy fungus species that spawn from spores. They are not plants, and therefore are not vegetables. They are their own category of life and are more closely related to humans than plants. They are not photosynthetic and must obtain their food from pre-existing material. Mushrooms can be grown at home, and there are many types that can be grown with care. This can be done outdoors in beds or buckets, or even on logs. The traditional material for growing mushrooms is horse manure, but other possible substrates include coffee grounds, straw, and wood chips.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushroom growing kits | Grow kits are the simplest option for beginners. |
| Mushroom spawn | Spawn is a living fungal culture, also called mycelium. |
| Substrate | The substrate is the material for the mushrooms to grow on, such as compost, manure, straw, or coffee grounds. |
| Location | Mushrooms are best grown undercover, where temperature and moisture can be controlled. |
| Temperature | Mushrooms require a minimum temperature of 15°C. |
| Light | Mushrooms require a few hours of light per day, which can be artificial. |
| Humidity | Humidity should be kept high by routinely spraying the substrate with water. |
| Water | Distilled water should be avoided as it lacks nutrients. Boiled tap water is preferable to regular tap water, as the chlorine in tap water can kill spores. |
| Cleanliness | The growing environment should be kept clean to prevent contamination. |
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What You'll Learn
Using grow kits
Mushroom growing kits are a great option for beginners and make excellent gifts. They are also a good way to learn the process before attempting to grow mushrooms independently.
There are several types of mushroom growing kits available, including box kits, bucket kits, and log kits. Box kits are typically spray-and-grow kits, which contain a block of colonized substrate inside a small box. To use this kit, simply slice open the box, spray with water, and wait. Bucket kits are another simple option, which involves growing mushrooms in a bucket using spawn (a living fungal culture, also called mycelium). Log kits are slightly more involved and require you to drill holes into freshly cut hardwood logs and insert impregnated dowels.
When using a mushroom growing kit, it is important to maintain the right environmental conditions. Mushrooms grow best in humid environments with plenty of oxygen and minimal direct sunlight. Keep your kit well-hydrated by misting it three to four times a day with spring, well, or rainwater. Cover the block with plastic after each misting to hold in the humidity. Many kits come with a plastic humidity tent, which can be placed over the kit to maintain humidity. If your kit does not come with a humidity tent, you can create your own by taking a semi-transparent plastic bag, piercing it with holes, and placing it over your kit. Place a dish of water at the base of the kit to further increase moisture levels.
Most gourmet mushroom kits need light to grow, so keep them in a bright spot away from direct sunlight. This will allow you to watch your mushrooms grow, and some types will double in size every 12-24 hours.
Mushrooms grown from kits are typically ready to harvest within a few days to a week. Harvest the mushrooms when they are young, firm, and healthy-looking. Softness or discolouration can be a sign of rot, and spoiled mushrooms should not be consumed. After harvesting, continue to monitor the humidity and oxygen levels of your kit, as you may get another round of mushroom growth, called a flush. If the weather is mild, you can also try planting the kit outside in partially shaded ground.
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Growing mushrooms outdoors
To grow mushrooms outdoors, you will need a rich, fertile, moisture-retentive growing medium. The traditional material for growing mushrooms is horse manure, but other possible substrates include compost, manure, a bucketful of fresh coffee grounds, or straw. If you have access to recently chopped logs, you can buy wooden dowels or plugs that have been impregnated with spawn, which you tap into pre-drilled holes in the log.
When growing mushrooms outdoors, it is important to maintain a high moisture level (but avoid standing water) and some airflow. The humidity can be kept high by routinely spraying the substrate with water. Mushrooms are best grown undercover, where temperature and moisture can be controlled. A shed, garage, garden cold frame, or cellar will work well—anywhere out of the sun where it's possible to give mushrooms their optimum growing temperature of a minimum of 15°C, and a few hours of light (which can be artificial) per day.
Oyster mushrooms are a great option for beginners as they are pretty adaptable in temperature and substrate preference. They will grow on an array of materials, including agricultural by-products, coffee grounds, and even invasive species like knotweed or autumn olive. Winecaps are also a great option, as long as they are not exposed to full sun.
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Choosing the right substrate
Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of fungi and can be grown at home with the right substrate. The substrate is the medium that allows mushroom mycelium to develop and establish itself. It provides the nutrition, moisture, and energy that mushrooms require to grow and fruit.
The right substrate can make or break any mushroom-growing project. Different species of mushrooms have different preferences for substrates, so it is important to pair your mushrooms with the right substrate for optimal results. Mushrooms grow in a variety of substrates, ranging from simple to complex. Some mushrooms grow better on a certain substrate, and the ideal conditions for every mushroom will differ.
The substrates that mushrooms grow in are very moist and full of nutrition. While this is an ideal environment for mushrooms, it is also perfect for mould and bacteria to grow. Bacteria and mould can grow faster than mushroom mycelium, so it is important to give mushrooms a head start and ensure they colonize the substrate before other forms of mould or fungi can.
There are several options for substrates, including compost, manure, straw, logs, and supplemented sawdust fruiting blocks. Manure is a perfect example of a substrate that should be sterilized before use as it is teeming with bacteria and microbial life. Other substrates that should be sterilized include rye grain, popcorn, brown rice, and wheat berries. Straw, on the other hand, can be pasteurized, which is the process of heating the substrate to between 150-180 degrees Fahrenheit for 1.5-2 hours. This reduces the overall population of other microbes while still keeping some, which can be helpful for mushroom growth. Logs do not need to be sterilized or pasteurized but should be stored somewhere clean and dry for a few months before inoculating.
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Inoculating your mushrooms
Inoculation is the process of introducing a mushroom's mycelium into a growing medium, such as wood,
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Maintaining the right humidity
To achieve and maintain the desired humidity levels, various methods can be employed:
Misting
One of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to increase humidity is by using a misting spray bottle. This involves spraying the mushrooms and their surroundings with water. While this method is easy to set up and can be done multiple times a day, it may not be sufficient for large-scale cultivation as it requires manual labour and may not provide consistent humidity levels. More advanced misting systems, such as pond misters, are often used in commercial mushroom cultivation as they provide consistent humidity and are easy to set up.
Humidifiers
Using humidifiers specifically designed for mushroom cultivation can help maintain consistent humidity levels. Ultrasonic humidifiers, cool mist humidifiers, and warm mist humidifiers are some of the best options for growing mushrooms. Ultrasonic humidifiers use high-frequency vibrations to create a fine mist, while cool mist humidifiers use a fan to blow air through a wet filter.
Companion Planting
Companion planting is a natural and cost-effective method that helps control humidity levels. It involves planting companion plants alongside mushrooms, providing benefits such as pest control and improved soil health. However, it is crucial to select the right plants to ensure they do not compete with mushrooms for resources like nutrients.
Environmental Control
Mushrooms thrive in controlled environments where temperature and humidity can be regulated. Growing mushrooms undercover in a shed, garage, or cellar can provide the necessary environmental control. Maintaining a minimum temperature of 15°C and providing a few hours of light per day, either natural or artificial, can optimize mushroom growth.
Monitoring with Sensors
Using humidity sensors is an effective way to monitor and ensure successful mushroom growth. By investing in humidity sensors, growers can maximize their yields and address any humidity-related issues promptly.
Natural Evaporation
Taking advantage of natural evaporation is another way to increase humidity. This method works well during warmer months. By using containers with air holes and possibly a small fan to create airflow, you can raise the humidity levels required for mushroom growth.
While maintaining the right humidity is essential, it is worth noting that a large variation in humidity is also beneficial. Lowering the humidity after reaching the dew point allows water to evaporate, creating a cycle that promotes healthy mushroom growth.
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Frequently asked questions
Oyster mushrooms are the easiest to grow at home, with grey and pink oyster mushrooms being the most straightforward. They need some light and good humidity to grow.
Outdoor mushroom beds are easy and inexpensive. You can use the lasagna method for sheet mulching, stacking layers of mushroom spawn and substrate.
Mushrooms do not grow well in potting soil. They are more likely to thrive in wood chips, hardwood sawdust, composted manure, straw, or coffee grounds.
Mushroom growing kits are a great way to get started. They come with a mushroom block filled with oat bran, sawdust, or another substrate material that has been coated with mushroom spores.
