Emma Wilson
Mushrooms are a fun and tasty treat to grow at home, but where you plant them depends on the type of mushroom and the growing conditions you can provide. Mushrooms are very adaptable and can grow in a variety of places, from fields to forests, and even on decomposing leaves. They thrive in temperatures of 70 degrees Fahrenheit, but can grow in a range of 40 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. They also require a moist environment, as they have no skin and can dry out easily. With the right substrate, mushrooms can adapt to less-than-ideal conditions, but generally, they prefer shade or dark places.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushroom type | Oyster, button, shiitake, wine cap, chestnut, morel, chicken-of-the-woods, chaga |
| Mushroom spawn | Sawdust, straw, compost, coffee grounds |
| Mushroom substrate | Wood, hardwood, decomposing leaves, manure |
| Mushroom environment | Dark, cool place, temperature range of 40-90°F, moist |
| Mushroom growth cycle | Perennial, can be planted throughout the growing season, dormant in winter |
| Mushroom fruiting | Spring to fall, logs may take 5-18 months to fruit |
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What You'll Learn
Indoors vs outdoors
There are several factors to consider when deciding whether to grow mushrooms indoors or outdoors.
Environmental conditions
Outdoor mushroom production relies on the natural environment, which can be unpredictable. Mushrooms require the right amount of light and temperature to grow. Most mushrooms prefer shade or dark places, but some can grow in part to full sun. Outdoor mushrooms can be grown in a forest or any shady, humid environment with good airflow. Mushrooms grown outdoors can look quite different from those grown indoors, as it is difficult to replicate outdoor conditions in a manufactured environment.
On the other hand, indoor mushroom cultivation offers more control over the growing conditions. Mushrooms can be grown indoors year-round in a dark, cool place such as a basement or cabinet. However, maintaining adequate humidity and fresh air in an indoor growing space can be challenging.
Infrastructure and cost
Outdoor mushroom production requires less infrastructure and start-up capital compared to indoor production. Outdoor systems can utilise natural resources such as logs, stumps, and woodchips, supporting sustainable practices. However, access to these resources may be limited for those in urban or peri-urban areas.
Indoor mushroom cultivation can be adapted to various spaces, including abandoned barns, outbuildings, and urban basements or warehouses. This makes mushroom production accessible to both rural and urban farmers, even those with limited capital and resources.
Species
Some mushroom species are better suited for outdoor growth, such as log-grown shiitake mushrooms, which have been found to be the most economically viable. Other species, like King Oyster mushrooms, are often grown indoors under controlled conditions to produce a durable product that can be easily shipped. Additionally, certain mushrooms, such as Blue Oyster mushrooms, require ample fresh air when grown indoors, which can be challenging to maintain.
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Choosing a substrate
There are various substrates to choose from, and different mushroom species have different preferences. Wood-loving mushrooms like chicken-of-the-woods, chaga, and oyster mushrooms are often seen protruding from fallen trees or stumps. These mushrooms thrive on substrates like straw and hardwood. Other mushrooms, like the common button mushroom, grow well in soil that is rich in nutrients.
When selecting a substrate, it is essential to consider the availability and ease of working with a particular substrate. For example, a straw-based substrate may be more accessible than a hardwood substrate and can be prepared with basic home utensils. Additionally, substrates that could be considered food items, such as rye grain, popcorn, brown rice, and wheat berries, need to be sterilised to prevent mould and other fungi from growing on them. Less nutritious substrates can be pasteurised instead of sterilised to kill off any unwanted bacteria and contaminants.
To prepare a substrate, place several handfuls of your chosen substrate into a tub or pan. If using straw or sawdust, pasteurisation is recommended to kill any contaminants. Then, mix the mushroom spawn into the substrate and raise the temperature to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. After two to four weeks, the spawn will have taken root in the substrate, forming mycelium, which looks like white fuzz. At this point, drop the temperature to 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Optimal temperatures
Mushrooms are adaptable and can grow in a wide range of temperatures, from 40 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. However, they thrive in a climate where temperatures hover around 70 degrees.
When growing mushrooms, it's important to maintain optimal temperatures at different stages of their growth. To begin the process of growing mushrooms, you need to purchase mushroom spawn and mix it with a growing substrate such as compost, straw, sawdust, or coffee grounds. At this stage, you should raise the temperature to around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. After about 2-4 weeks, the spawn will have taken root in the substrate, forming a white fuzzy substance called mycelium.
Once the mycelium has formed, it's time to lower the temperature to between 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range is ideal for encouraging the mushrooms to develop. Cover the mixture with a thin layer of potting soil and keep it moist by spraying it with water.
If you're growing mushrooms outdoors, the ideal time to plant will depend on your climate. In warmer climates, you can plant mushrooms throughout most of the year as long as temperatures are consistently above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. In cooler climates, it's best to plant in the spring or early summer to give the mushrooms a longer growing season.
Spring is generally the best time to plant mushroom logs. This is because you should cut the logs during the dormant season before the buds swell in the spring. Logs should be planted when daytime temperatures consistently reach 40 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you inoculate your logs with mushroom spawn in the spring, you may be able to harvest your first mushrooms in the fall of the same year, depending on the strain and temperature conditions.
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Timing and seasons
The timing and season for planting mushrooms depend on whether you are growing them indoors or outdoors. Indoor growing can be done all year round in a climate-controlled room. Growers often plant on a scheduled cycle throughout the year to ensure a continuous mushroom supply.
Outdoor growing is more dependent on the seasons and temperatures. Most mushroom varieties are perennial crops that can be planted throughout the growing season, as long as daytime temperatures reach 40°F or higher. Warmer climates allow for planting throughout most of the year, while cooler climates have shorter growing seasons. In these cooler climates, it is best to plant in spring or early summer to speed up the time from planting to picking. If you live in a region with frosty and heavy winters, be sure to plant at least four weeks before the first frost.
Spring is generally the best time to plant mushroom logs. This is because it is ideal to cut logs during the dormant season before the buds swell in spring. Logs can be stored until spring when temperatures reach 40°F or higher, but they shouldn't be stored for too long into the warmer months. Spring planting also allows more of the growing season for the mushrooms to colonize the log. Mushroom logs typically require a minimum of five months before producing mushrooms. Spring-inoculated logs may fruit their first mushrooms in fall, while logs inoculated later in the year may not be ready until the following year.
Some specific types of mushrooms have unique growing timelines. For example, Shiitake logs often take a year to produce their first mushrooms, but they can sometimes fruit in the fall following spring inoculation. Once fruiting begins, some Shiitake varieties can be forced to fruit throughout the warm months. Logs often fruit for 4-8 years. Oyster mushrooms typically fruit 3-12 months after planting, depending on the strain, outside conditions, and temperature. They usually fruit for 2-4 years. Lion's Mane and Comb Tooth mushrooms may take up to two years before they are ready to produce mushrooms, and they generally fruit in spring and fall for several years.
Almond Agaricus mushrooms thrive in warm weather and can be grown in garden beds, container gardens, or landscape pots with regular watering. They grow well with companion plants like bell peppers, summer squash, and tomatoes. A casing layer, such as coco coir or peat moss, can help retain moisture and boost yield. These mushrooms grow well when daytime temperatures average around 70°F.
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Types of mushrooms
Mushrooms are very adaptable, with many species capable of growing on a variety of materials. However, some mushrooms require very specific conditions to grow. Mushrooms require the right amount of light and temperature to grow optimally. Most mushrooms prefer shade or dark places, but some can grow in partial to full sun. Mushrooms grow in a wide range of temperatures, from 40 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, but they thrive when temperatures are around 70 degrees. Moisture is also important for mushroom growth, as mushrooms have no skin and can easily dry out.
Oyster Mushrooms
Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) are one of the easiest mushrooms to cultivate and are a good option for beginners. They can grow on almost anything and are very resilient. They are also known as king trumpet mushrooms, trumpet royale, ali’i oyster, king brown mushrooms, and French horn mushrooms. They are known for their thick stems and earthy flavor.
Shiitake Mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms are another popular variety that is relatively easy to grow. They have a great flavor and are used in a variety of dishes. Shiitake mushrooms can be grown on woodchips outdoors or on logs or sawdust indoors.
Lion's Mane Mushrooms
Lion's Mane mushrooms are known for their fuzzy, shaggy appearance, resembling a lion's mane as they grow on tree trunks. They can be grown by purchasing a ready-to-fruit bag or by cultivating them from spores found in the wild.
Button Mushrooms
Button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) are the most common type of mushroom found in grocery stores, with an estimated 90% of the mushrooms consumed in the US belonging to this variety. They are mild in taste and can be eaten raw or cooked. Baby button mushrooms, criminis, and portobellos are all the same species at different points in their life cycle.
Chanterelle Mushrooms
Chanterelle mushrooms have a trumpet-like shape with a depression in the center of their caps. They are golden-hued, fleshy, and firm, with a distinctive apricot-like scent. However, they are notoriously difficult to cultivate, so they are typically foraged in the wild.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms can be planted both indoors and outdoors. Indoors, they require a dark, cool place to grow, such as a basement, crawl space, drawer, or cabinet.
The ideal time to plant mushrooms depends on whether you are growing them indoors or outdoors. Indoor growing can be done year-round in a climate-controlled room, while outdoor growing is more dependent on the seasons.
Mushrooms require the right amount of light and temperature to grow. Most mushrooms prefer shade or dark places, but some can grow in partial to full sun. Mushrooms grow in a wide range of temperatures, from 40 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and thrive when temperatures are consistently around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Moisture is also crucial for mushroom growth, as they have no skin and can dry out easily.
Mushrooms grow on various substrates or organic materials. Wood-loving mushrooms, such as chicken-of-the-woods, chaga, and oyster mushrooms, grow on fallen trees or stumps. Other mushrooms grow on forest floors, taking advantage of decomposing organic matter. Common button mushrooms thrive in nutrient-rich soil. Substrates for growing mushrooms include compost, straw, sawdust, coffee grounds, and wood chips.
