Grow mushrooms in coffee grounds, and other ways to waste not, want not (2024)

  • BY R. STEPHANIE BRUNO | Special to The Advocate
  • 1 min to read

Grow mushrooms in coffee grounds, and other ways to waste not, want not (2)

Jordan Bantuelle, of the All You Need Institute, and Leif Olson, a professional mushroom grower, want you to quit throwing away your coffee grounds. Use them to grow mushrooms instead.

The duo hosts a workshop from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday (April 29), at 3700 Toledano St., where they plan to demonstrate how easy it is to grow exotic mushrooms in coffee grounds, paper, mulch and other compounds. Straw? Check! Bagasse? Yep! Woodchips? You get the picture.

For coffee grounds, the process starts with fresh, pasteurized grounds, a simple container such as a plastic bucket or jar, a disinfectant and an “inoculum”— a fungus used to start the mushroom culture.

“If you are using coffee grounds, they need to be super fresh, brewed the same day you inoculate them,” Olson said. “The tricky part for most folks is finding a good source for the inoculating material— the spawn is what we call it. Most mushroom farms will have it, and you can buy inoculate of whatever type of mushrooms you want to grow.”

Brewing the coffee pasteurizes the grounds, so you can skip that step. The next step is disinfecting the container— a simple process that requires nothing but rubbing alcohol.

“Then you simply fill the container with the pasteurized substrate (in this case coffee grounds) and the spawn, and wait,” Olson said.

As the roots of the fungus grow and incubate, they more or less consume the coffee grounds, he said.

The threads will begin to grow within a day or two of inoculation and will take between a week and a few months to grow. For a bigger container, it takes longer.

Mushrooms pop up within three to 20 days of complete root growth, depending on the species, Olson said.

Oyster mushrooms grow well on coffee grounds, but for wine cap mushrooms, wood chips and straw make the best substrate, he said.

The workshop also will cover basic ecology and life cycles of the fungus among us. Registration is limited to 20 people. Every participant will take home a mushroom growing bag.

For more information, visit http://allyouneedinstitute.com/classes-workshops

Contact R. Stephanie Bruno at rstephaniebruno@gmail.com.

Grow mushrooms in coffee grounds, and other ways to waste not, want not (2024)

FAQs

Can you grow mushrooms on only coffee grounds? ›

Mushrooms are nutrient hungry and thrive in coffee grounds. So you can grow food using food waste to reduce food and packaging waste, how cool is that!?! You don't need any specialist equipment, just a simple glass jar. The set up is relatively low cost and it's surprisingly easy to grow mushrooms this way.

Can I grow mushrooms without manure? ›

Most people think that mushrooms grow on manure- which is indeed true. Although most gourmet species prefer hardwood sawdust or straw, there are many common species that grow best on manure.

What mushrooms are best in coffee? ›

Different mushrooms offer distinct benefits. Look for mushroom coffees that contain a variety of medicinal mushrooms, such as lion's mane, chaga, reishi, cordyceps, shiitake, and maitake. Check the quantity of mushrooms per serving, ensuring they are sufficient to provide the desired benefits.

Can you inoculate spores in coffee grounds? ›

Inoculating coffee grounds with mushroom spawn

Using sanitised utensils or your hands if you're wearing gloves, break up any clumps in the coffee. Add your oyster mushroom spores and break them up if they're in clumps.

What is the use of hydrogen peroxide in mushroom cultivation? ›

Just a few of Hydrogen Peroxide's uses in mushroom cultivation: Safely destroys mold infections from any fruiting jar or bulk casing grow. When using perlite during the growing (fruiting) stage, add weekly to your moist Perlite to keep it clean and free from any bacteria or mold growth.

Do used coffee grounds grow bacteria? ›

Researchers suggest that the bacterial and fungal species normally found on decomposing coffee grounds, such as non-pathogenic Pseudomonas, Fusarium, and Trichoderma spp.

What disinfectant to use when growing mushrooms? ›

An alkaline detergent, including an anionic surfactant, is the best fit for mushroom farm cleaning. Be wary of detergents that contain cleaning boosters such as chlorine compounds. Such additives are corrosive to soft metals and require comprehensive rinsing if used.

How to speed up mushroom growth? ›

To initiate fruiting, lowering temperatures and increasing oxygen levels generally encourages mushroom formation. Initiation can be in the form of cold shocking, water shocking or introducing more oxygen by cutting a hole in the bag. them with water as if in a strong rainstorm.

Is growing mushrooms bad for the environment? ›

Because of how they are grown (in indoor growing houses), you don't see them out in fields or go pick them yourself. But this growing process is just part of what makes mushrooms one of the most sustainable foods on the planet. Mushrooms produce high yields from a very small physical footprint.

What are the drawbacks of mushroom farming? ›

Mushroom Growing Problems
  • Contamination. Fungi need moist conditions to grow. ...
  • Lack of Moisture. Moisture is one of the most important environmental considerations when growing mushrooms. ...
  • Too Much Moisture. ...
  • Lack of Fresh Air. ...
  • Lack of Light. ...
  • Unsuitable Climate. ...
  • Unsuitable Substrate. ...
  • Faulty Spawn.
Feb 29, 2024

What is the cheapest way to grow mushrooms? ›

Another easy, inexpensive option for growing mushrooms at home is inoculated sawdust in a plastic bag. These come in kit versions, but you can also make them yourself. Store them in a bathroom where it is dark and moist and you'll start to see flushing pretty quickly.

What is the best manure for growing mushrooms? ›

While many types of manure can be used, the best results often come from well-composted cow, horse, or sheep manure. The quality of manure is crucial for successful mushroom cultivation, and pasteurization of the substrate is recommended to eliminate harmful contaminants before inoculation.

How do you grow without manure? ›

Organic farming emphasizes natural and sustainable practices. Instead of manure, you can use alternative organic fertilizers like compost, cover cropping, crop rotation, and green manure. These methods can provide essential nutrients to your vegetables while maintaining organic standards.

Can plants grow in only coffee grounds? ›

Reusing used coffee grounds is a fun, free way to fertilizer your houseplants, however, it most likely will not provide your plants with all the nutrients they need. You can add additional nutrients by using a premade houseplant fertilizer or repotting your plant with fresh potting mix.

Can you grow mushrooms without peat? ›

The fun and exciting way to cut out peaty mushrooms would be to grow your own at home. It is easier than you would expect, with lots of home-grown kits being available that are 100% peat-free, such as the selection from Urban Farm-It.

Can you grow mushrooms with just grain? ›

Growing mushrooms starting from ready-made grain spawn is one of the most accessible and beginner friendly ways to get into the hobby of mushroom cultivation. It is slightly more complicated than growing mushrooms from a kit, but the results are totally worth it!

Can coffee beans only be planted on sleeping mushrooms? ›

Coffee Bean is a plant in Plants vs. Zombies that allows the player to use mushrooms during the Day, Pool, and Roof levels by waking them up. To use it, the player must plant the Coffee Bean on a sleeping mushroom.

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