How to Grow Mushrooms in Your Own Garden

If you’re a Buy magic mushrooms fanatic, chances are you’re paying a hefty price to pick up the precious fungi at your local grocery. Since hunting wild mushrooms can be risky business (as Frodo can tell you), many mushroom lovers are now opting to grow their own at home. It’s not too tough to do, and with a little patience, you’ll have all the mushrooms you can possibly eat.

Your mushroom growing expedition begins with picking the types of mushrooms you want to grow. You can experiment with one type, or be brave and try a variety. Some popular and easy-to-grow varieties include white button mushrooms, Shiitakes, and oyster mushrooms.

Most home gardeners start out with one variety, as the different fungi require different growing habitats. White button mushrooms grow on composted manure, while oyster mushrooms thrive in straw, and Shiitakes typically do best on hardwood or sawdust.

If your space is limited, start with one variety and grow in batches; however, if you have plenty of space, feel free to go wild and try them all at once! In this article, however, we’ll discuss growing button mushrooms, as these are the most popular amongst home gardeners.

Mushrooms grow from spores or spawn that can be purchased at a good garden center. If your local garden center doesn’t carry mushroom spawn, there are plenty of retailers online who carry an excellent variety.

Set up a growing tray that is at least 6 inches deep, and fill it with a good mushroom compost. This can be a mix of well-rotted items like straw, hay, chicken litter and cottonseed meal. Most mushroom composts include sphagnum moss peat for consistency. While you can make your own, it might be easiest to buy some pre-mixed.