What are LMBs? A Leftover Mushroom Block is living mycelium in a medium of sawdust and agricultural waste. It has produced mushrooms at Mycopolitan and is ready to live on in your garden. A pickup truck load of LMBs totals around 1.5 cubic yards.
Are LMB’s “mushroom soil, mushroom compost?” No. But given a couple years to break down they will become something like mushroom soil/compost. But this is different mushroom soil than you’ll find bagged up at your garden supplier because LBMs are wood-based, not compost-based like the common stuff. Think of the mushroom compost you get from LMBs being like very rich bottom-land topsoil you’d find in a healthy mature forest, but without the mineral “dirt”.
Are LMBs mushrooms? No, but they can grow mushrooms.
Will LMBs grow more mushrooms? If you provide them the right environment, a single LMB can produce as much as a half-lb of mushrooms each over the course of a year! A standard pickup truck can gather a load big enough to yield 50-100lbs, mainly in the spring and fall. Yes, you can store LMBs during the winter in the right environment and they should spring back to life when the seasons change. Follow the reservation link and scroll to the bottom for more information on how to get the most mushrooms out of your blocks, plus some safety info.
Can I use LMBs to inoculate stuff like woodchips with mycelium? We don’t recommend this. The mycelium in LMBs has expended much of its energy and you are better off sourcing fresh spawn for this purpose (link to SRA spawn product, Kits).
Besides growing mushrooms, what else are LMBs good for? LMBs make superior worm-bedding for vermicomposting. They can be incorporated into other composts (C:N ratio roughly 30-50:1 so not “hot” enough on their own but a great way to balance high N inputs like kitchen scraps, spent grains etc.) They can also be used as mulch in garden paths, around trees etc, but they will break down faster than mulch. They can help build soil, bring life back to soil, boost co2 in a greenhouse, encourage worms in your garden, slow erosion, slow runoff, absorb excess water and fertility, invite wildlife…
What do I need for pickup? A reliable pickup truck lined up for your delivery, and a place you own or have permission to unload your LMBs. We understand you may not have access to a truck, but there are folks who do have trucks in the MUFN community and PUFN community who can help, as well as folks who can split a load with you. Consider joining these google groups. Join MUFN by emailing the subject “add me to mufn” to info@mycopolitan.com
Will you deliver a load of LMBs to me? If you’re in Philly, or just outside, yes! Order Here.
I only want a small amount of LMBs. Can I pick them up from the farm?Reservations are for pickup-truck loads only. That said, we usually have a small pile of LMBs for small pickups on a pallet at the end of the D Street dead end (south from Erie Ave.). Go to the end of D st dead end and the pallet is on your left. Help yourself to the blocks, but we cannot coordinate small pickups or guarantee that someone hasn’t come before to snatch them all up. Alternatively, you can join the MUFN mailing list to coordinate with others on a truck rental, find or start a LBM pickup site in your neighborhood, etc.
How do I reserve a Saturday pickup? Here is a link to our shop (don’t worry it’s free). First come first serve.
When are LMB pickups? Saturdays between 11:30-1:30.
How late can I reserve it? Please order by Thursday evening so we have time to get it ready for you, but as long as there is a reservation open, we can acommodate- just email info@mycopolitan.com if you order after thursday evening. You can reserve out a number of weeks.
What if I need more than 1.5 yards? Reserve a day that is at least two weeks out and then email info@mycopolitan.com
Can I make multiple reservations? We ask that you limit reservations to 3 total so there’s enough to go around. But we love that level of enthusiasm. You’re on to something.
I lined up a truck and reserved a pickup day. What do I do next and what do I need? Just record the phone number provided to you when you ordered and text Brian by 10am of the pickup day with an ETA.
What form do they come in? They may come still in the bags we grew them in because this bag will help retain moisture and give you more mushrooms if the season is right. Or they may be unbagged. These bags are not recyclable in Philadelphia.
How do I get them into my truck? They’ll either be on a shelf or in burlap bags (gratis). Either way, we can help you load up.
Do I get to choose the varieties (species) of mushrooms? No, sorry. But you can order Leftover Shiitake Blocks from our shop HERE
Are these available year round? They are available from October- June. Limited availability over the summer.
What if I have a question that isn’t answered in the FAQ? We’re happy to chat when you load up.
Can I visit the farm when I come to pick up? No, sorry, unless you pre-order a tour.
How do I show my gratitude for all these amazing mushrooms I got from my free LMBs? Consider sending us a “thank you” $20 or three here. We also love it when you tag us @mycopolitan on the soc’s!
