Growing Mushrooms at Home Is Easier Than You'd Think (2024)

Every few months or so, I fight the urge to flee into the woods and live off the land as a reclusive forest hag. To channel this urge, I do things like tending the little garden patch outside my apartment and growing herbs in my window box. It gives me some shred of bucolic life.

But since my inner hag is never satisfied, I am always looking to learn how to grow more things, which is how I became fixated on growing mushrooms at home. There are a number of home mushroom growing kits available online that claim to make the process easy. I tried a few. Here’s what I learned.

Can I grow mushrooms at home?

Yes. Though it depends on what type of mushroom you want to grow and how much dedication you have. The growing conditions for mushrooms can vary widely from species to species, and some aren’t really viable at a small scale. You aren’t going to be growing morels or black truffles—there’s a reason those are so expensive. Still, other mushroom varieties, like oyster mushrooms, maitakes, and reishi are all within the realm of possibility. Pretty much every mushroom growing resource I could find says that oyster mushrooms are the easiest variety for first time-growers, as they grow fast and can easily thrive in substrates made of things like coffee grounds and straw, making them relatively low maintenance.

How to grow mushrooms at home using mushroom kits:

I got a couple of oyster mushroom growing kits from Back to the Roots. As far as cost goes, these kits, which vary between $16–$20 dollars, aren’t necessarily going to serve as an economical substitute for buying mushrooms from the grocery store. But they are a great way for you to get your mushroom-growing legs. In fact, the kits I tried were designed to be an educational tool for children—which made me feel better about my chances for success.

Inside each box is a block of substrate inoculated with oyster mushroom spores. This block itself is sealed within a special plastic bag called a spawn bag, which has a small filter patch to allow for clean air flow. The mycelium-coated substrate itself is a little gnarly looking, particularly the one for pink oyster mushrooms, which had an unsettling, Philip Guston fleshiness to it. All these kits had a pleasant forest floor smell that seeped through the bag, which made me miss being outside, but I digress.

The nice thing about a mushroom kit is that the trickiest and most time-consuming part of growing mushrooms, sterilizing and inoculating the growth substrate, has already been done for you. All you have to do is cut open a little window in the bag, soak it face-down in water, and then place the kit in a cool, dimly-lit room. The kit said that the mushrooms would begin to “pin” in a couple of days, and that is exactly what happened. Each morning I would wake up and find teeny mushroom heads sprouted through the ruddy substrate. After seven days of regular misting, I had a large handful of pink oyster mushrooms. My coworker Anna also tried the kit with positive results.

Growing Mushrooms at Home Is Easier Than You'd Think (2024)

FAQs

Growing Mushrooms at Home Is Easier Than You'd Think? ›

All you have to do is cut open a little window in the bag, soak it face-down in water, and then place the kit in a cool, dimly-lit room. The kit said that the mushrooms would begin to “pin” in a couple of days, and that is exactly what happened.

Is it easy to grow mushrooms at home? ›

Is it difficult to grow mushrooms? Although it may seem tricky at first, once you understand the basics of growing mushrooms, the process is pretty simple! Take care to prevent contamination, monitor temperature and humidity, and you will be enjoying fresh, homegrown, gourmet mushrooms before you know it!

What are the cons of growing mushrooms at home? ›

You need a place that is dark and humid, which may be difficult if you live in an apartment or other place where it's hard to control such things as ventilation and light levels. In addition, mushrooms put off an interesting aroma which may not be pleasing to some people.

Are mushrooms easier to grow than plants? ›

Mushrooms require less growing materials, water, and energy than other types of crops. There are many reasons why mushroom agriculture is more sustainable than other types of agriculture, which start with the growing process.

Is it cheaper to grow mushrooms yourself? ›

Save Money: It's cheaper to grow your own mushrooms than to buy them, and you can even sell the excess. Quality & Variety: Control what goes into your food and explore exotic mushroom types you won't find in stores.

Can you grow and sell mushrooms from home? ›

Navigating the Regulations

Most states differentiate between "Intentionally Cultivated" and "Wild Harvested" Mushrooms for regulatory purposes. Generally, simply selling mushrooms you grow in a designated space as a fresh produce item means you can sell with little or no regulation, at least a smaller scale.

What are the easiest mushrooms to grow indoors? ›

In this guide, we'll focus on three easy-to-grow mushrooms: Wine Cap, Shiitake, and Blue Oyster. From indoor growing to garden cultivation, these varieties offer simplicity and delicious rewards for all skill levels.

What to avoid when growing mushrooms? ›

  • 6 mushroom growing mistakes to avoid for tasty, nutritious fungi. ...
  • 1 Misjudging your commitment level. ...
  • 2 Miscalculating the life cycle of mushrooms. ...
  • 3 Trying to grow mushrooms in the wrong place. ...
  • 4 Misjudging the moisture level and temperature. ...
  • 5 Failing to maintain sterility and good air flow. ...
  • 6 Harvesting at the wrong time.
Sep 20, 2023

Is growing mushrooms high maintenance? ›

The other benefit of growing mushrooms in wood chips this way is that they will fruit for about three years before you will need to refresh the bed with a new layer of wood chips and sawdust spawn. This truly is a low maintenance, high value crop that everyone should add to their garden!

Are backyard mushrooms safe? ›

Despite any horror stories you may have heard, most lawn mushrooms are completely harmless. That doesn't mean that you or your children should be eating them, but if your pet accidentally eats one, they should be fine.

Where is the best place to grow mushrooms? ›

Mushrooms are best grown under-cover, where temperature and moisture can be controlled. A shed, garage, garden cold frame or cellar will work well – anywhere out of the sun where it's possible to give mushrooms their optimum growing temperature of around 15°C (the temperature shouldn't go below 10°C or above 20°C).

Is it safe to grow your own mushrooms at home? ›

Can I grow mushrooms at home? Yes. Though it depends on what type of mushroom you want to grow and how much dedication you have. The growing conditions for mushrooms can vary widely from species to species, and some aren't really viable at a small scale.

Are mushroom kits worth it? ›

Mushroom grow kits are a great solution as they're easy to use and allow even the most inexperienced growers to produce fresh gourmet mushrooms year round. But not all mushroom grow kits are equal, so it's advisable to research and find a reliable supplier who offers a grow guarantee.

Can you grow mushrooms from store-bought mushrooms? ›

The best variety for home growing is oyster mushrooms, though you can use any type. Store bought mushroom propagation is quite easy, but you should choose fungi from organic sources. Propagating store bought mushrooms from the ends just requires a good fruiting medium, moisture, and the proper growing environment.

How long does it take to grow mushrooms from scratch? ›

Mushrooms are harvested by hand throughout a 16-35 day cycle.

Can I grow mushrooms in my backyard? ›

Growing edible mushrooms outside can be incredibly easy and inexpensive - sometimes easier than growing vegetables! You don't need a green thumb or any special equipment to incorporate this nutrient-dense food into your backyard or garden.

Can you grow mushrooms indoors year round? ›

Can you grow mushrooms indoors year-round? Yes, you can. But to maintain fruiting conditions year-round, you'll need to invest in a fruiting chamber. Fruiting chambers create a controlled environment with optimal conditions and make production more reliable.

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