In this article we explain the difference between the Mushroom Kit and the Mini Farm to help you decide which will be best for you.
Mushroom Grow Kit
Skill level: Beginner / Easy
The Mushroom Grow Kit is ready to grow. All you need to do is:
- Remove the recipe card panel on the back of the box
- Cut open the bag inside according to the instruction card
- Mist with water 2-3 times per day
Time investment:
- Ready to grow immediately
- Monitor daily
- Spray 2-3 times per day
- 7-14 days growing time
The Mushroom Grow Kit doesn't require much attention. Once you've cut open the kit you need to keep up the humidity by misting it daily and checking on it once or twice per day. Most kits will grow mushrooms in 7-14 days but it can take up to 21 days (this is rare).
Expect to grow: 2-3 harvests of mushrooms / 150g - 300g
The first flush will always be the biggest. We've had some customers grow up to 4 flushes of mushrooms from our kits but on average you'll get 2 harvests. Once the kit has run out of nutrients and water it will be "spent" and won't produce any more mushrooms.
DIY Organic Mushroom Mini Farm + Mini Course
Skill level: Intermediate / More involved
The DIY Organic Mushroom Mini Farm is great for people wanting to delve deeper into mushroom growing. Using the DIY Mini Farm you will learn the process to create your own mushroom grow kits using a reusable mushroom bucket.
The Mini Farm is more involved than the ready-to-grow mushroom kits and the possibility of error is greater due to starting the process from scratch. The reward however, is knowing how to grow your own oyster mushrooms from start to finish, using ingredients and materials at home. You can become completely self-sufficient in oyster mushroom growing using the method taught in the tutorial video.
Time investment:
- 30 mins hands-on preparation time
- 2-3 weeks incubation time
- 7-14 day growing time
The Mini Farm comes with a three module Mini Course. The step-by-step video tutorial included with the DIY Mini Farm runs for approximately 20 minutes and will guide you through the process to create your Mini Farm. This process takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.
Once you've created your Mini Farm it needs to incubate for 2-3 weeks before it will be ready to fruit mushrooms.
Expect to grow: 2 harvests of mushrooms / 150g - 250g
The first flush will always be the biggest. On average you'll get 2 harvests. The amount of mushrooms is dependent on the dry weight of material used in the bucket.
The difference in the mushroom yield is largely due to the mix of substrate used in the Mini Farm and the preparation technique.
Once the mushrooms have consumed the nutrients and water available in the substrate, it will stop producing mushrooms. It's time then to start the process again using your newly acquired knowledge and skills and your reusable mushroom bucket!
FAQs
If you have any interest in growing mushrooms at all, and you aren't ready to do it from scratch, then most definitely yes- you should try a kit! It will give you an idea of how mushrooms grow, and what requirements they need in order to fruit properly.
How long does a grow your own mushroom kit last? ›
How long do mushroom growing kits last? Each grow kit usually lasts for about 2-3 harvests, but this will vary depending on the variety of grow kit you choose. Kits may produce more or less mushrooms in total before they expire and must be replaced.
What is the easiest mushroom kit to grow? ›
Oyster mushrooms are by far the easiest and most reliable mushrooms to grow. For beginners we recommend our Mist & Grow Oyster mushroom grow kits. Simply cut an X in one side of the bag, cover with a humidity tent, and mist a few times daily. Within 7-10 days a cluster of baby mushrooms will appear!
How much does a mushroom kit produce? ›
How much does each Mushroom Grow Kit produce? Each Mushroom Grow Kit produces 1-2lbs of mushrooms over the course of 2-3 harvests. The yield depends on the type of mushroom and the growing conditions.
How many times can you reuse a mushroom grow kit? ›
Yes, you can most definitely reuse mushroom grow kits! Mushroom grow kits are generally designed to give you more than one harvest depending on the species of mushroom inside your growing kit. There is enough water nutrition available in the substrate to give you multiple harvests over a period of 2-10 weeks.
Where is the best place to put a mushroom grow kit? ›
The grow kit will stay fresh in the box for months before you start growing your mushrooms. Make sure you keep your grow kit in a cool area/room that doesn't receive any direct sunlight (i.e., closet, bedroom). Once opened you just need oxygen, water, and light to “activate” your grow kit!
What is the best mushroom to grow at home? ›
Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) or Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) are great choices for first timers because they are delicious and are some of the easiest to grow. How you grow your mushrooms will depend on the kit you buy. But don't worry; they should come with instructions to help you get started.
What do you need to start a small mushroom farm? ›
You'll need to get at least your spawn, substrate and bags to start growing mushrooms. We recommend starting with ready-to-inoculate spawn. You can start with a sterile culture, but there's a lot more that can go wrong in the process and it's not as beginner-friendly.
What is the most profitable mushroom to sell? ›
Some easier to cultivate and sell but high value mushrooms are Maitake, Lion's Mane, and Shiitake. These varieties have found their niche in both local and international markets, making them a lucrative choice for growers.
What is a grow kit? ›
A grow kit is a set of materials or components that allows you to grow your own plant. Here at MNLGrowkits, we sometimes call this “Plant in a Box” or “A Gift That Grows.”
While some growers report harvests of 10-15 grams of dried mushrooms per pound of substrate in these bags, others might achieve less, often from significant side pinning, and especially in the case of contamination or suboptimal growing conditions.
Is a mushroom farm a good investment? ›
Mushroom farming can be lucrative. Like all business activities, mushroom farming does require some financial investment. However, when it is done correctly, mushroom farming can produce returns that make the initial investment more than worth it.
What are the cons of mushroom compost? ›
Factors To Consider When Using Mushroom Compost
Farmers should use the compost with caution due to its high salinity. The high salt levels can kill and harm young and germinating seeds. They also cause damage to plants that are salt-sensitive such as blueberries and azaleas.
What is the most valuable mushroom to grow at home? ›
Some easier to cultivate and sell but high value mushrooms are maitake, lion's mane, and depending where you are shiitakes. The mushrooms that are the most profitable tend to be mushrooms going for the supplement or health field rather than culinary.
Do mushroom grow bags work? ›
Some mushroom cultivators like to use mushroom grow bags because this method of growing offers several benefits, including: Mushroom grow bags are generally pretty easy to keep sterile, especially if they're equipped with a filter patch (more on this in a moment) Mushroom grow bags can help growers to conserve space.
