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February 20, 2022
By Lauren David
mbg Contributor
Lauren David is a Chilean-American freelance writer. She writes about gardening, food, health and wellness, and sustainability. She has been published in Allrecipes, Greatist, The Healthy, The Kitchn and more.
February 20, 2022 We carefully vet all products and services featured on mindbodygreen using our commerce guidelines. Our selections are never influenced by the commissions earned from our links. Chances are, you love to eat mushrooms—but 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 need to know to grow mushrooms from the comfort of your home.Can you grow mushrooms at home?
Growing mushrooms at home may seem counterintuitive since many varieties grow in forests, on trees, or underground, but there are many varieties you can cultivate indoors. Once you get the setup down, with any luck, you'll have edible delights within a couple of weeks.
"Growing mushrooms is great as an activity for kids, adults who have free time and want to start to grow their own food, or anyone in between," says Brian Chau, a food scientist and fungal fanatic.
What to know before starting.
Though it doesn't take up much room, growing mushrooms at home does require a dark, humid location, explains Matthew Tutt, a part-time mushroom grower. As such, Chau recommends scouting out a small (around 2 square feet) spot in your home that you'll remember to spritz with water twice a day.
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 type of mushrooms are best for growing at home?
There are a plethora of mushrooms that people can grow at home, but if you're new to growing fungi, you'll want to start with these beginner-friendly varieties:
1.
Blue oyster mushrooms.
"The blue oysters grow relatively fast and are the easiest to maintain," says Chau. Blue oyster mushrooms are one of several varieties of oyster mushrooms and can be used in a variety of dishes, such as pastas, soups, or sauces.
2.
Lion's mane mushrooms.
In addition to blue oysters, Andrew Carter, the CEO and co-founder of Smallhold, a network of mushroom farms throughout the USA, considers lion's mane a great variety for beginners."They are the most forgiving in terms of growing conditions, so they usually do well in most people's homes," he says. Lion's mane is known as a medicinal mushroom and is delicious when grilled, braised, roasted, or sauteed.
3.
Grey oyster mushrooms.
Another low-maintenance variety of oyster mushrooms, Tutt says that "Grey oyster mushrooms are not fussy at all and don't require much special treatment, or any kind of special substrate." They are prominently featured in Asian cuisine, and Tutt notes that they are a great "gateway" mushrooms thanks to their mild taste.
What conditions do mushrooms need to grow?
Cool, dark, and damp are a mushroom's favorite words. "They need to be kept at room temperature—or even a bit cooler—and misted constantly," says Carter. Since they require twice-daily misting, he notes that you might want to put them in a room that you pass through often, such as the kitchen. Basem*nts, bathrooms, garages, or even under sinks are also good humid environments for them, as long as you remember to mist them.
Gathering your supplies.
These supplies can be purchased at your local nursery, garden center, or even home improvement store. Note: Mushroom grow kits do the work of colonizing for you, so you can also purchase one of those to skip steps 1 to 4 of the growing process.
- Planting trays or boxes
- Mushroom spawn
- Plastic bags or plastic box (to serve as a mini-greenhouse)
- A substrate (either compost, straw, wood chips, or potting soil, depending on the variety of mushroom you're growing)
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.
"To get the mushroom spawn to colonize the substrate, you need to place it in a warm spot to speed up this process—usually anywhere between 30 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, but it will depend on the exact type of species you are looking to grow," explains Tutt.
Step 3: Ensure the substrate stays moist.
You'll need to spray the substrate with water to keep it moist but not soaking wet. "At the very least, they need to be misted directly two to three times a day," says Carter. You may want to cover the substrate with a plastic bag or large plastic box to maintain a humid environment from your shrooms.
Step 4: Chill your mushrooms down.
After a few days, you should see tiny white thread-looking growths (mycelium) start to form on top of your substrate. At this point, the mushrooms have colonized, and Tutt recommends placing your tub in the fridge or an area that's below 30 degrees Fahrenheit for a short period before moving it to that cool, dark, and damp spot in your home for the final "fruiting" stage.
Step 5: Harvest time.
Keep misting your mushrooms daily to keep their surrounding humidity high, and they should be ready to harvest within a couple of weeks.
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.
Water:
Although mushrooms thrive in damp and humid environments, they don't need to drink lots of water. "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.
Humidity:
A humid environment is an essential component for the success of growing mushrooms, especially when you reach that final fruiting stage. "It's vital to keep it humid—but not soaking wet," says Tutt.
Harvesting and storing your mushrooms.
"Mushrooms are usually ready for harvest when their cap has finished forming and is just about to start unfurling," says Tutt. However, they may not look like the fungi you're used to seeing. "They're perfectly safe to eat but aren't the picture-perfect mushroom that most people are used to," says Carter.
Once they're ready, you can handpick your mushrooms or use a knife to harvest them.Since these beauties are grown in a controlled home environment, you don't need to go through the pain of washing them before storing. "When harvested, store mushrooms in the fridge for up to two weeks in a paper bag," says Chau.
And voilà! You're ready to start incorporating your homegrown mushrooms into decadent soups, "steaks," salads, and everything in between. Packed with minerals and vitamins, they'll provide a delicious way to support your immune system, too.
The bottom line.
Now that you know how to get started growing mushrooms at home, you'll be reaping the rewards of these delectable fungi in no time. Next homesteading challenge: Pair them with homegrown avocado from your very own avocado tree!
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert in gardening and sustainability, I can provide you with information on growing mushrooms at home. Growing mushrooms can be a rewarding and relatively low-maintenance activity. Let's explore the concepts mentioned in the article and provide more details on each topic.
Can you grow mushrooms at home?
Yes, you can grow mushrooms at home. While many varieties of mushrooms grow in forests, on trees, or underground, there are also several varieties that can be cultivated indoors. With the right setup and conditions, you can have edible mushrooms within a couple of weeks.
What to know before starting:
Before starting to grow mushrooms at home, there are a few things to consider. Mushrooms require a dark and humid environment, so you'll need to find a small spot in your home that you can keep moist by spritzing it with water twice a day. Additionally, mushrooms grow from microscopic spores, which need to be cultivated on different types of substrates such as wood, sawdust, compost, or straw.
Best types of mushrooms to grow at home:
There are several beginner-friendly varieties of mushrooms that you can grow at home. Here are three examples:
-
Blue oyster mushrooms: Blue oyster mushrooms are relatively fast-growing and easy to maintain. They can be used in a variety of dishes, such as pastas, soups, or sauces.
-
Lion's mane mushrooms: Lion's mane mushrooms are considered great for beginners because they are forgiving in terms of growing conditions. They have a unique appearance and are delicious when grilled, braised, roasted, or sautéed. Lion's mane mushrooms are also known for their medicinal properties.
-
Grey oyster mushrooms: Grey oyster mushrooms are low-maintenance and don't require special treatment or substrates. They are commonly used in Asian cuisine and have a mild taste, making them a great option for beginners.
Conditions for growing mushrooms:
Mushrooms thrive in cool, dark, and damp environments. They need to be kept at room temperature or slightly cooler and require constant misting to maintain humidity. Basem*nts, bathrooms, garages, or under sinks can provide suitable humid environments for growing mushrooms.
Gathering your supplies:
To grow mushrooms at home, you will need the following supplies:
- Planting trays or boxes
- Mushroom spawn
- Plastic bags or plastic boxes (to serve as mini-greenhouses)
- Substrate (such as compost, straw, wood chips, or potting soil, depending on the mushroom variety)
How to grow mushrooms:
Here is a step-by-step guide to growing mushrooms at home:
-
Fill a container with substrate: Start with a tray or a long container that is at least 6 inches deep. Fill it with your chosen substrate and spread the mushroom spawn on top. Cover the spawn with another inch or so of the substrate.
-
Place the substrate in a warm area: To encourage the mushroom spawn to colonize the substrate, place it in a warm spot. The temperature will depend on the specific mushroom species you are growing.
-
Keep the substrate moist: Spray the substrate with water to keep it moist but not soaking wet. Mist the substrate directly two to three times a day. You can cover the substrate with a plastic bag or box to maintain a humid environment.
-
Chill the mushrooms: After a few days, you should see white thread-like growths (mycelium) forming on top of the substrate. Once the mushrooms have colonized, place the container in the fridge or an area below 30 degrees Fahrenheit for a short period. Then, move it to a cool, dark, and damp spot in your home for the final fruiting stage.
-
Harvest the mushrooms: Continue misting the mushrooms daily to keep the humidity high. Within a couple of weeks, the mushrooms should be ready to harvest.
Caring for your mushrooms:
To ensure a successful harvest, here are some care tips for your mushrooms:
- Light: Mushrooms prefer dark environments and don't need much light. Avoid direct sunlight.
- Water: Mushrooms thrive in damp and humid environments. Spritzing or misting the substrate twice a day is sufficient. Avoid drowning or drying out the mushrooms.
- Humidity: Maintaining a humid environment is crucial, especially during the fruiting stage. Keep the environment humid but not soaking wet.
Harvesting and storing mushrooms:
Mushrooms are usually ready for harvest when their caps have finished forming and are about to start unfurling. Harvest them by handpicking or using a knife. Since homegrown mushrooms don't require washing, you can store them in the fridge for up to two weeks in a paper bag.
Now that you have the knowledge and steps to grow mushrooms at home, you can enjoy incorporating your homegrown mushrooms into various delicious dishes. Mushrooms are not only tasty but also packed with minerals and vitamins, making them a nutritious addition to your meals. Happy mushroom growing!