The famous mycologist and evolutionary biologist Paul Stamets once said that the species who survive in history are the ones that make friends with fungi. Those are some wise words from a man wearing a literal mushroom hat! (Yes, we’re not kidding, Stamets had a hat made of Amadou’s mycelium fibers.)
In this article, we’re going to help you make friends with our fungi friends, so hop on to find out how to grow mushrooms at home! If you still need reasons to grow them, we’ve got four to help you make up your mind.
One: Mushrooms are one of the biggest (!) mysteries in nature.
Two: They are packed with nutrients.
Three: They need little space.
Four: They are ultra sustainable (actually, the most sustainable food source in the USA).
We could give you many more but let’s get on with the guide. The faster we begin, the sooner you will have a pantry full of delicious, cheap, home-grown mushrooms.
The Process of Mushroom Growing
Do you know what mushrooms really are? Even though cute little capped guys in the forest might come to mind, it’s not entirely correct. You see, the ‘mushroom’ is actually just the reproductive part in the super complex life cycle of the fungus. Fungi spend most of their time as a mycelium, with long threads spreading in the soil. This underground network is on the permanent hunt for tasty organics.
If the word ‘network’ gives you associations with social networks or the internet in general, you’re not wrong. Fungi might seem mute to humans but they do talk. A lot. Mushrooms don’t only use mycelium to feed but also to communicate with each other and even trees! Whatever the tree can’t reach deep underground, it can get from a friendly mycelium, in exchange for some sugar and carbon. Smart, isn’t it? In fact, mushrooms have intelligence, of a very original sort, or so the scientists say.
Spores
Mushroom spores are basically fungus babies. Releasing in vast quantities, these individually microscopic motes are carried away into the air to seed new fungal colonies. Try to catch your fruiting mushroom in the light one day: you may see some majestic whisps flowing from their gills!
Mycelium
Mycelium is the true body of the fungus, and what a body it is! The mycelium is the fine, silky threads of connective tissue that have weaved across the earth’s entire natural history. Don’t let its fluffy appearance fool you, this is where most of the fungus’ biomass is contained!
Mushroom Substrate & Spawn
Mushrooms only need two things to produce energy and grow: water and nutrients. They get these things from the substrate, so it has to be perfect. Now, we know ‘perfect’ sounds demanding. But listen up! Whether you’re experienced with gardening or just beginning, picking the right substrate should be your first priority. A friendly disclaimer! If you’re good with plants, that also doesn’t guarantee you’d manage your mushrooms like a pro. Some scientists say mushrooms are closer to fauna than they are to flora, after all.
How to choose wisely, then? While hypothetically any organic material can be used, mushroom species can vary greatly in pickiness. Substrates usually come in blends of organics, mimicking the natural environment of the mushroom. These natural components include (but are not limited to) different kinds of manure, grain, cocoa and cottonseed hulls, and gypsum.
Once you’ve chosen your mushroom and suitable substrate, you will need to prepare the ‘spawn’. The ‘spawn’ is a kind of a small colonizer (a mushroom first introduced to the substrate).
Where to Grow Mushrooms?
Good news for you: mushrooms are super straightforward. They are best grown under-cover, someplace cool, where temperature and moisture can be controlled. Give them a comfy temperature range somewhere between 50-70°F (10-20°C), and avoid fluctuations. Fungi like their peace and quiet, so keep them away from sunlight and air current disturbances.
Growing Mushrooms at Home Step-by-Step
When you get down to it, growing a healthy batch of mushrooms is easy as pie. Don’t rush: everything great in life is achieved one step at a time.
Select the Type of Mushroom You Want to Grow
Congratulations, here comes the fun part of mushroom growing. Picking your champion (or should we say champignon). Think about what you’re looking for. Do you want specific health benefits, a new cycle for your compost, or do you just want to see if you can grow something? There’s a mushroom out there for everyone. Oyster mushrooms are welcoming to beginners; Shiitake mushrooms can be pickier about their substrate of choice, but have a real cult flavor… Find and choose the species that is right for you!
Prepare the Mushroom Spawn
As mentioned before, the spawn is a beginning fungus that you introduce to the substrate. Typically the spawn is purchased, but mushrooms can easily be spawned from your very own spores for a more DIY touch.
Define and Prepare the Substrate
Once you have your spawning colonizers selected, you must give them a home! Prepare your substrate with a close attention to the species that you will be growing; each species of mushroom has a completely different diet, and what works best for one species might not fit another. Above all, remember to sterilize your substrate before beginning! Bacteria and other species of fungi can be unwelcomed guests that spoil your project needlessly. The most reliable way to prepare a sterile, welcoming substrate for your mycelial colony is by pasteurizing the substrate.
Heat the Substrate and Spawn
Mix your spawn into the substrate thoroughly, with patience and love. When you introduce your spawn to the moist substrate, you can encourage it to have a healthy start by incubating the spawn bag. Although the temperature ranges depending on the type of mushroom, 73-82°F (23-28°C) is desired by most species.
Keep the Soil Moist All the Time
Fungi are very water-dependent beings. The mycelium will not grow and your mushrooms will not grow healthily if the substrate is not perpetually moist. Check your substrate regularly with thumb-presses. If your finger comes away clean, it’s too dry; if you squeeze your substrate and water comes out, it’s too wet. It’s a no-brainer!
Lower the Temperature to Between 55-60℉ (13-16°C)
Once the spawn has taken, let your mushroom chill out a bit more between the degrees of 55 and 60°F (13-16°C). This is more like their natural growing environment, and the fungi will thank you for it with bountiful harvests to come.
Harvest the Mushrooms
If you followed the previous steps, you’re up for a great harvest, our friend. However, most mushroom species can be harvested 2-3 times before they are depleted, so take note! Whatever it takes, avoid ripping or pulling your mushrooms out, as this can damage the connected mycelium. Use sterile knives to snip your mushrooms from their stock– and enjoy!
Other Methods for How to Grow Mushrooms At Home
It sometimes seems there are as many ways to grow mushrooms as there are species of mushrooms, themselves! No worries. We won’t let you get confused. Here are the most creative ways to get into mushroom keeping.
In Coffee Grounds
Want to turn a profit from those wasted coffee grounds? The nutrient composition of depleted coffee is almost ideal for Oyster and Shiitake mushroom growth, and is a favored substrate by many an ecological household.
From a Kit
Want the smoothest possible mushroom farming experience? Many kits can be purchased at gardening centers or online that facilitate a pleasant and well-measured mushroom growing experience. These kits will typically include a pre-colonized substrate, and present a fun and uncomplicated way to grow mushrooms.
In a Log
Since most mushrooms grow on decaying plant matter, creating a ‘mushroom log’ can be one of the most fruitful and aesthetically pleasing methods of feeding your mushrooms. After choosing your logs for inoculation, drill holes in the log and fill them with mushroom spawn; seal the holes with wax and set the logs in a place they will stay moist. Within a few weeks, you can expect to enjoy fruitful and repeated harvests.
Once you begin growing mushrooms, the experience is magical, but not at all like a fairy ring kind (we promise, no angry fairies will come to get you). There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of growing your own food, and enjoying it, too. Homemade is better, like mom taught us.
FAQ
How Long Does It Take to Grow Mushrooms?
It really depends on the species! Some mushrooms are in a real hurry to grow up, taking 3-4 weeks; others take their sweet time. Remember to keep the substrate cool and moist- this will ensure your timely success!
What not to Do When Growing Mushrooms?
High temperature storage locations can dry out your substrate, and too low temperatures can encourage the growth of mold; when growing mushrooms, your greatest enemy is actually over complication. Lots of amateur mushroom farmers throw in the towel because they get overexcited and try to skip steps or overcomplicate the process. Just follow the recipe, and you will do great: we promise!
What Is the Easiest Mushroom to Grow?
Hailed from far and wide as the most newbie-friendly, the gregarious Oyster mushroom will grow vigorously on a range of substrates and in a wide range of temperatures. If you’re new to the world of mushrooming, let the Oyster be your guide.
