Chances are, you love to eat mushroomsbut have you ever considered growing them?
Turns out, the little fungi grow quickly and are relatively low-maintenance, depending on the variety.
Here’s what you oughta know to grow mushrooms from the comfort of your home.
Can you grow mushrooms at home?
What to know before starting.
You won’t need much else to get the hobby going, other than mushrooms and your substrate.
While vegetables and fruits grow from seeds, mushrooms grow from microscopic spores.
Spores grow in different types of substrates such as wood, sawdust, compost, or straw.
What key in of mushrooms are best for growing at home?
“The blue oysters grow relatively fast and are the easiest to maintain,” says Chau.
Lion’s mane mushrooms.
Lion’s mane is known as amedicinal mushroomand is delicious when grilled, braised, roasted, or sauteed.
Grey oyster mushrooms.
What conditions do mushrooms need to grow?
Cool,dark, anddampare a mushroom’s favorite words.
“They need to be kept at room temperatureor even a bit coolerand misted constantly,” says Carter.
Gathering your supplies.
These supplies can be purchased at your local nursery, garden center, or even home improvement store.
How to actually grow the mushrooms:
Step 1: Fill container with substrate.
Start with a tray or a long container that is at least 6 inches deep.
Fill the tray or container with your substrate, and then spread the spawn on top.
Cover the spawn with another inch or so of the substrate you’re using.
Step 2: Place substrate in a warm area.
Step 3: Ensure the substrate stays moist.
You’ll need to spray the substrate with water to keep it moist but not soaking wet.
Step 4: Chill your mushrooms down.
Step 5: Harvest time.
Caring for your mushrooms.
Here’s how to watch over your mushrooms to ensure a successful harvest.
Light:
Generally, mushrooms don’t need much light since they prefer dark environments.
It’s important to keep in mind that direct sunlight is never a good idea.
“Spritzing or misting twice a day works just fine,” says Chau.
“Do not drown nor dry the mushroom block.”
And as you notice mushrooms starting to form, Carter recommends misting around them rather than spraying them directly.
“It’s vital to keep it humidbut not soaking wet,” says Tutt.
Harvesting and storing your mushrooms.
However, they may not look like the fungi you’re used to seeing.
Packed with minerals and vitamins, they’ll provide a delicious way tosupport your immune system, too.
The bottom line.
Next homesteading challenge: Pair them with homegrown avocado from your very ownavocado tree!
