Thinking of growing your own mushrooms? It’s a surprisingly simple way to bring fresh, delicious mushrooms into every dish!
With the right environment and some basic know-how, you can harvest different types of mushrooms like oyster, shiitake, and lion’s mane right at home. Whether you’re just starting out or are an experienced mushroom grower looking for some extra tips, here’s our top things to keep in mind.
Choosing the right mushroom variety
The first step is deciding which type of mushroom you’d like to grow. Some varieties are easier for beginners and thrive in home conditions, while others need more specific care:
- Oyster mushrooms are known for their resilience and adaptability, making them a great choice for beginners.
- Shiitake mushrooms do well in cooler temperatures and are often grown on hardwood logs or sawdust.
- Lion’s mane mushrooms are a little more particular about humidity but are popular for their unique texture, taste and health benefits.
New to mushroom growing? Our easy kits are perfect for beginners and mushroom lovers alike – just dive in and start cultivating! Want to gift it? Add a spawn voucher, so they can start their mushroom journey whenever they’re ready.
Setting up the perfect environment
Creating the right environment is one of the most important stages for healthy mushroom growth. Most mushroom species thrive in humid, shaded conditions with consistent moisture levels. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Humidity: A simple way to maintain humidity is by misting your setup regularly with clean, cold water.
- Temperature: Ideal temperatures change for different varieties of mushrooms. Oyster mushrooms and shiitake typically grow well in cooler climates, while other species might need a warmer setup.
- Shade: A shady spot is perfect – direct sunlight can dry them out and stunt growth, so look for a cool, dark corner or use an opaque container to shield them.
Use quality growing mediums and substrates
Mushrooms aren’t like traditional plants; they grow from spores and rely on a growing medium rather than soil. Substrates provide the nutrients your mushrooms need to grow, and each mushroom variety has its preferred substrate:
- Coffee grounds are great for oyster mushrooms, providing a nutrient-rich, sustainable base for growth.
- Hardwood sawdust or logs work well for shiitake and lion’s mane mushrooms, as these types naturally grow on wood in the wild.
If you're not using one of our kits, it's a good idea to pasteurise your substrate before you start growing. Pasteurising means heating the substrate to kill off any unwanted bacteria or mould that might stunt your mushroom’s growth. This step gives your mushrooms the best chance to grow healthy and strong, free from the threat of other microorganisms.
Mastering the basics of mushroom spawn
Once your substrate is prepared, it’s time to introduce mushroom spawn. Spawn is like the “seed” of mushrooms, containing the mycelium (the white threads or mushroom roots) that will develop into full mushrooms over time.
You can either buy spawn specific to your chosen variety or create it yourself if you’re more experienced. After adding the spawn to the substrate, make sure to keep the area humid and avoid any direct sunlight. Within a few weeks, you’ll start to see white mycelium spreading through the substrate – a sign that your mushrooms are getting ready to grow!
Skip this step and order our ready-to-fruit lion's mane grow kit! This comes with your spawn and substrate ready-mixed – just set it up, water and wait.
Maintaining moisture levels for healthy growth
One of the trickiest parts of growing mushrooms at home is keeping the moisture just right. Mushrooms love high humidity, so regular misting is key, especially when they’re about to start popping up (known as the fruiting stage). Check your setup often to make sure it stays nice and moist.
A simple way to keep humidity high is to cover your setup with a plastic bag or loosely sealed container to trap the moisture inside. Just be careful not to overdo it – too much water can invite bacteria or mould, which can interfere with healthy mushroom growth.
Watch and wait
Mushrooms grow fast – sometimes they’re ready to harvest just a couple of days after sprouting! Oyster mushrooms, for instance, can go from tiny pinheads to fully grown mushrooms in less than a week. To catch them at their best, check on your mushrooms daily, as they can reach full size surprisingly quickly.
A good sign they’re ready to pick is when the caps start to flatten out. This is when they’re usually at their peak in both flavour and nutrients, making it the perfect time to harvest.
Harvesting your mushrooms
When it’s time to harvest, grab a sharp knife and cut the mushrooms at their base instead of pulling them out. This helps protect the mycelium and can encourage more growth in some species. After you’ve harvested, let your substrate rest for a bit. Then keep up with misting and the right humidity – you might be able to enjoy a second or even third flush of mushrooms from the same setup!
Fixing some common issues
Growing mushrooms is usually pretty simple, but sometimes things don’t go as planned. Here are a few common issues and quick fixes:
Mould or contamination
If you notice blue or green mould, it might mean the moisture level is too high or the substrate (growing material) wasn’t pasteurised properly. If the mould is taking over more than 20% of the kit, it’s probably best to start again.
Slow growth
If your mushrooms seem to be growing slowly, check the temperature and humidity levels. Sometimes a small adjustment can help get things back on track.
Drying out
If your mushrooms look dry or aren’t growing, try misting them more often and cover the setup loosely to keep in the moisture they need.
Time to enjoy your homegrown mushrooms!
Fresh mushrooms bring a flavour and texture that’s hard to beat. Beyond their taste, mushrooms offer real health benefits, such as supporting your immune system, brain health and mental clarity. They're a delicious, natural way to give your body an extra boost.
Ready to grow your own? Try one of our mushroom grow kits! Complete with everything you need to get started – from the substrate to the spawn – you can enjoy fresh oyster, lion's mane or shiitake mushrooms right at home. We'll even deliver it for free! So, why wait? Order yours today and get growing!