How to Get Started Growing Mushrooms

Small and chewy, and boasting that distinctive smokey umami taste, there is just something about mushrooms we can’t seem to get enough of. Well, the good news is that they are super simple to grow.

In fact, they thrive in an indoor setting! This makes mushrooms the vegetable to grow at home. Today, we’ll be teaching you exactly how to get started growing mushrooms and equipping you with some killer tips.

Breaking Down the Terms Associated With Mushroom Farming

Before we get started, let’s break down these four terms every mushroom farmer must know:

Spore

A spore is basically the unit of reproduction for fungi like mushrooms. You could basically call it the seed of mushrooms.

Mycelium

When you mix your mushroom’s spore with a growing medium like soil, mycelium starts to grow. This looks like a root or tiny thread and is creamy white in color.

Substrate

The mycelium needs some sort of substance to grow and thrive on. This substance is called a substrate. Substrates vary depending on the type of mushroom you’re growing.

Spawn

If your substrate already has mycelium growing on it, we call it a spawn. You can buy a spawn straight from the nursery if you’re not in the mood to start from the spore.

Where to Grow Mushrooms?

You need to consider three environmental factors when planting your mushrooms: light conditions, humidity, and temperature. What you’re looking for is a place that is dark, humid, and cool (ideally, 50°F-60°F). If you’re planting them at your home, a closet in the basement where these fungi won’t get disturbed would be ideal. If you live in a small apartment, you can also incubate the mushrooms under your sink.

What Is the Most Efficient Way to Grow Mushrooms?

If you’re confused about mushroom farming, here is a step-by-step process for getting started with it:

Sowing stage

First things first, you must plant your mushroom. For this, all you need is the mushroom spore, a planting tray (ideally measuring 14″ x 16″ with a depth of 6″), the growing medium (like soil or compost), and a pair of gardening gloves.

Make sure you sterilize these gloves along with any tools you use to ensure no other fungus disturbs the growing process. Next, add the growing medium to the tray. Fill it all up till about 1 inch of space at the top remains. Lay your spores on this bed and make sure the soil is moist.

Incubation stage

Talking about moist soil, you have to understand mushrooms thrive in humid conditions. So, ensure you spray the soil twice daily while the spores grow. You’ll also have to control the temperature during this stage.

The easiest way to go about this is to invest in a good seedling heat mat. For the first three weeks, you’ll need to keep the spores at a solid 70°F. Then, as the mycelium starts to grow, lower the temps to somewhere around 55°F and 60°F. The exact temperatures would vary according to spore type.

Harvesting stage

Another thing that’ll vary from mushroom to mushroom is the growth time. On average, you can expect fully grown mushrooms in 4-5 weeks. You can ensure their maturity by taking a look at the mushroom’s caps.

When mature, these should be fully open and separated from the fungi’s stem. Use a sharp knife to cut at this stem, making sure you don’t tug at it. Congratulations! You just grew your own mushrooms. Give it a little wash and dry it up before consuming it.

If properly harvested, you can expect the stem to release the spore. Then, the process will be repeated all over again. On average, a mushroom plant will keep giving you some tasty toppings for a full 6 months. Just be sure to keep the soil moist and the conditions dark and cool.