Growing Mushrooms at Home for Beginners

Opt for beginner-friendly types such as oyster or shiitake mushrooms, which are known for their adaptability to different growing conditions and relatively simple cultivation processes. Let’s see how UK gardener Amy demonstrates growing oyster mushrooms in buckets. “Here’s how: I grow my own oyster mushrooms, and it was surprisingly easy. First. I just drilled a load of holes all the way around a bucket and sterilized it with rubbing alcohol. I also sterilized some straw by soaking it in boiling water and leaving it to cool overnight. Then fill up the bucket with layers of the straw and mushroom spawn. I use blue grey oyster mushroom spawn. Repeat this step until the bucket is full and finish with a layer of straw. Put the lid on and cover the holes with micropore tape. Place the bucket in a warm dark place for about two weeks for the mycelium to grow. When the straw has turned completely white and fluffy. You know the mushrooms are ready to fruit. Place the bucket somewhere with a little bit of indirect light and mist it several times a day to maintain humidity. It doesn’t take long for them to grow from tiny baby mushrooms to full size ready to harvest gourmet mushrooms. That will level up both your cooking and your gardening. Oyster mushrooms are the easiest type of mushroom to grow in buckets. But you can also grow lion’s mane in this way too.”

What a good idea to grow our own mushrooms at home. Incorporating mushrooms into gardening practices not only offers nutritional benefits but also contributes to sustainable and eco-friendly gardening methods. Now, we are about to introduce another method for growing shiitake mushrooms using cardboard boxes. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned gardener, this method will work well for you.

Similarly, we can grow mushrooms at home using coffee grounds. Let’s see how UK gardener Elliot Webb demonstrates this easy method. “Your growth substrate is 80 percent coffee, 20 percent straw. You then take the total weight of that, and 10 percent is going to be spawn. You definitely want to make sure that you get a really nice even mix in here, because the more even the spread of the mix, the faster the mycelium will run, the less chance there is of contamination.”

Proper sterilization of equipment and substrate is crucial to prevent contamination and ensure the success of your mushroom-growing efforts. Before starting, make sure to thoroughly sterilize your tools, containers, and growing medium. This step helps to create a hygienic environment for mushroom growth. Adjust the growing environment as needed to create conditions that mimic the natural habitat of your chosen mushroom variety, fostering robust mycelium development and fruiting. While mushrooms don’t require direct sunlight for growth, they do benefit from some light exposure. Ensure that your cultivation area receives indirect natural light, or consider using artificial grow lights to provide sufficient illumination.