Also known as fungi, mushrooms are produced from microscopic spores rather than seeds. They drop an average of 16 billion spores in a lifetime and get their nutrients from the organic matter in their growing medium. Button mushrooms (Agaricus Bosporus) are of the most common varieties of mushrooms grown by home gardeners. They can be grown outdoors during the growing season or when given the right environment, can be grown indoors year around. Building a growing kit is the best way to ensure the spore are supplied with the necessary conditions in order to create mushrooms. These conditions include a sterile environment, low light, fresh air flow, moisture and humidity.
Building a Mushroom Growing Kit
Obtain a shallow 8-gallon plastic container. Drill a row of air holes across the side of the container, three inches down from the brim using a power drill and a one-eighth-inch bit. Create the first hole at the end of the container and work across the side leaving a two inch gap between each hole. Finish at the opposite end and turn the container over to repeat the process on the other side.
Wash the entire growing container with a 1 part bleach, 1 part water solution to sterilize the growing area and kill any bacteria or pests that my potentially be a threat.
Fill the growing container with a 3-inch layer of mixed equal parts sterile organic compost, potting soil and peat moss. Smooth the top to ensure a flat, even surface.
Remove the stems of healthy store-bought button mushrooms and place the mushroom caps -- with the gills down -- on a piece of clean wax paper. Wait 24 hours for the caps to release the spores used for growing.
Add a handful of the soil mix to a sealable envelope. Carefully transfer the collected mushroom spores to the envelope for storage. Write the date and mushroom variety on the outer portion of the envelope.
Cover the top of the growing container with clear plastic wrap. Poke ten holes in the plastic wrap to allow for additional airflow. Complete the kit with growing instructions and a water spray bottle for misting the soil.
Planting and Growing the Mushrooms
Remove the plastic wrap from the top of the container and mist the top surface of the soil mix until it is moist.
Spread the collected spores, laying them evenly across the surface of the soil mix. With the spray bottle lightly mist the spores.
Place the plastic wrap back on top of the growing container and set in a low light area with temperatures of 75 degrees Fahrenheit, such as a closet or under the kitchen sink.
Keep the soil damp to the touch by lightly misting it every two days or whenever necessary. White thread-like fibers, know as mycelium, should appear within 14 days after spore transplant and will soon begin to sprout mushrooms.
Harvest the fresh mushrooms when they are mature, leaving space for new ones to sprout. Expect your mushroom gardens to supply fresh mushrooms for up to 8 weeks.
Things You Will Need
- 8-gallon plastic container
- Power drill
- 1/8-inch drill bit
- Organic compost
- Potting soil
- Peat moss
- Button mushrooms
- Wax paper
- Plastic wrap
- Spray bottle
- Different mushroom varieties require different growing mediums.
- Wear safety glasses when operating power tools.
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