The Mushroom Kits
While I’m not an expert, I figured I’d share my experience growing the mushrooms so you could see how the process works. The kits themselves are a box which includes clean compost that has been inoculated using heat to destroy any bacteria and unwanted fungi, and a ziplock bag of peatmoss in which the mushroom spores are loacted. The compost is contained within a plastic lining that keeps anything from leaking out and helps keeps the moisture in.
The Compost
The Peat Moss with Spores
It is an extremely simple procedure to start the kit and then the care is very easy to keep your mushroom kit happy and producing. All you have to do is take the ziplock bag of peatmoss and thoroughly soak the contents of it with water. I did it right in the ziplock bag (make sure its really sealed), or you can do it in another clean container where it might be easier to work. Just be sure that the peat moss is soaked even throughout and then dump its contents on top of the compost and spread evenly. You are done starting the kit. Put it in a place with an even temperature, they suggest 65-70 I think. I put the kits in a closet with temperatures that were mostly in the low 60s and they grew just fine. The next step is to leave the kit for 7-14 days depending on the kit you buy. During this time the fungus spores start growing and a grey hair looking mold starts filling the kit top to bottom, growing its root structure where it will break down the compost. After this time, you’ll be required to mist the contents with purified water (I used it straight from the Brita pitcher) and keep the soil evenly moist. Mushrooms will start to form as little pinheads which grow until they are the desired size you want, depending on the kit. Twist and break away from the soil, cut off the dirty end, and then do what you want with them, which usually means eating them.
Grey Hair Mold Growing
It really is an amazingly simple procedure and pretty awesome to watch its in its various stages. If you have any questions, just leave a comment and I’ll be sure to respond. I hope you try growing the mushrooms, for an early spring science project and for the delicious harvest.
Mushrooms Growing in the Kit
Harvested Colossal Whites & Shiitake Mushrooms
If you would like to purchase any kits, please call us for information.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
hey Thomas~ i’d like to try some! do you take orders online or in store? which kind do you recommend, especially as there are just 2 of us now; they will be ready before an august vacation, right? many thanks!
They would definitely be ready before August. It takes about 3-4 weeks from their start to harvest. I would say that if you like mushrooms, you could definitely do two different kits at the same time. I did 4 at the same time and ate 75% of them, and gave away what I couldn’t eat. They were all delicious, so whatever you like. Let me know what you’d like me to order for you.
Home grown mushrooms taste so much better than store bought ones too!
I like how took pictures. It gives a better idea on what your talking about and what to expect
I enjoyed this article thanks for sharing.