During lockdown a few years ago, I found myself with plenty of free time after my remote job ended around 3 p.m. To cure my boredom, my resourceful gardener mom suggested I try growing mushrooms at home, claiming it was “very easy”.
What seemed like a quirky idea soon turned into a fascinating learning experience, as I was used to growing larger crop patches in my backyard garden but mushrooms were a whole new challenge.
Let me tell you all I learned about growing mushrooms at home as well as answers to some questions you probably have on your mind right now!
Why Grow Mushrooms At Home?
While many might disagree with me, growing mushrooms at home is easier than it seems! And, yes, I know I said it was a challenge for me but that was only because I wasn’t used to tight space gardening at the time.
Other than the fact that mushrooms are incredibly delicious, you want to grow them at home to get fresh, nutritious produce right at your fingertips. If you have limited space and want to grow something tasty and productive, mushrooms are a solid choice.
What You’ll Need To Get Started:
Here’s a quick list of all the things you’ll need to begin growing mushrooms:
Preparing The Growing Environment
To prepare the growing environment for mushrooms, choose a cool, dark location that has a relatively stable and consistent temperature of around 59ºF to 68ºF (15°-20°C).
If the spot is too dry and cold, use a humidifier in the area to add some moisture to the air.
In terms of preparing the growing medium, put your sawdust, compost, or straw into a container or tray and cover the whole thing with a damp cloth to maintain moisture.
Step-By-Step Guide To Growing Mushrooms
Step 1: Pick The Mushroom Variety
Ideally, you want to choose a mushroom variety that’s beginner-friendly, such as oyster, shiitake, or button mushrooms. These types are relatively easier to grow at home and require less “specialized care”.
Keep in mind that different mushroom varieties require slightly different conditions, so do some research and pick one that suits your home environment best.
Step 2: Get The Growing Medium Ready
Regardless of the growing medium you choose, ensure it is kept moist and properly sterilized to eliminate any unwanted organisms that could disrupt the mushroom growth process or make the produce unsafe for consumption.
Simply put your growing medium in a sturdy container or tray and you’re ready to move to the next step.
Step 3: Add Your Mushroom Spores
Now that the growing medium is ready, you can mix in your mushroom spores. Spread the mixture through the medium, ensuring that it’s evenly distributed.
Store your container in a slightly cool, dark location, giving the mycelium the time to colonize the medium over a few weeks.
Step 4: Promote Fruiting
Once the mycelium has fully colonized the medium, drop the temperature of the area slightly and allow some indirect light to come through. Maintain humidity using a humidifier or misting the substrate regularly. Creating this environment will encourage your mushrooms to start fruiting in no time.
Step 5: Harvest & Consume
Once your mushrooms have fully matured, harvest them gently by twisting or cutting at the base.
It’s important not to delay harvesting your mushrooms, as the longer you wait, the more likely the gills will darken, affecting both the appearance and flavor.
Store your harvest in a cool, dry place, or use it in a dish and taste the reward of your labor right away. Enjoy!
How To Care For Your Mushrooms
Caring for your mushrooms can be a pain in the bum at first, but soon it becomes a relaxing routine…only if you’re passionate about them.
I kept my mushrooms in a cool, dark spot and misted them regularly to maintain humidity. Believe me when I say it was like checking on a miniature garden! All you need to worry about is maintaining moisture and keeping the temperature consistent, everything else will take care of itself.
When & How to Harvest Mushrooms?
As a general rule of thumb, mushrooms are ready to be harvested when their caps have fully opened. Just make sure you don’t wait till the gills start to darken. Harvesting at the right time guarantees the best texture and taste.
To harvest, cut the mushrooms at the base or gently twist them off, being very careful not to damage the surrounding mycelium. It’s truly simple!
Final Words
Growing mushrooms at home turned out to be the cutest, most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. What started as a simple experiment has since become my favorite pastime since then.
If you’re ready to try it yourself, I hope this guide helps you start your own mushroom-growing journey. Best of luck!
