White button mushrooms are a great project for a beginning gardener because of their fast growth.You can plant them at any time of the year, because they can be grown indoors.All you need to grow button mushrooms is proper equipment and some patience.
Step 1: If you are growing mushrooms for the first time, consider buying a kit.
Mushroom kits are great for beginners because they have everything you need to grow mushrooms.They usually have a spray bottle for watering the mushrooms.Growing kits can have different directions than traditional mushroom growing methods.Follow the directions if you read the package carefully.Some kits already contain the spores for a specific type of mushrooms, while others only have growing trays.
Step 2: Purchase large trays to grow the mushrooms.
The trays should be at least 6 inches deep and 14 by 16 inches.Only plant in one tray, which will produce mushrooms for 3-6 months.Depending on what you have, the trays can be made of plastic, metal, or wood.As you get more experience, you can grow multiple trays at once and have a constant supply of mushrooms.
Step 3: Make a mixture of both.
A lot of nitrogen is needed to grow button mushrooms.If you don't have a compost pile, purchase horse or cow manure at the store or use your own compost.If you plan on growing a lot of mushrooms, you can make this mixture in a large bucket and cover it after you use some of it.If you need to fill one tray, mix as much as you can.If you want to make your compost smell good, make it in a well-ventilated area.
Step 4: The trays should hold 15 cm of the growing mix.
At the top of the tray, leave at least 1 inch of space.The soil should be spread evenly across the tray.If the compost is still hot when you place it in the tray, don't worry, white button mushrooms thrive in warm compost.
Step 5: You can buy ready-made spores online or at a nursery.
To grow mushrooms, buy mushrooms that have already been inoculated or mixed in with dirt, hay, or sawdust.Button mushrooms can be found in local nurseries and online retailers.If possible, purchase it from an experienced mushroom grower.They are more likely to produce mushrooms.
Step 6: The mist with water should be spread on top of the compost.
You can apply the spawn directly on top of the compost mixture.The mushrooms will grow in all parts of the soil if the layers are even.Even if the compost is wet, spray the tray thoroughly with water because mushrooms like a damp environment.
Step 7: The temperature can be raised to 70 F by placing the tray on the heating pad.
Set the tray directly on top of the pre-heated pad that plugs into a wall and has a temperature control dial.The temperature in the soil can be monitored with a thermometer.The soil can be killed by heating it up to 70 F.
Step 8: Move the tray to a dark room and spray it with water twice a day.
The dark place where the mushrooms will grow best is a root cellar, basement, garage, or even a closet.To make sure the soil isn't too warm or dry, check the temperature throughout the day.2 times per day, spray the soil with water.If the soil is warm, try lowering the temperature of the heating pad and keeping an eye on the thermometer.
Step 9: When tiny, thread-like roots form, lower the heat to 50 F.
After 3-4 weeks, the top of the soil will be covered with tiny, white roots called mycelium.Some areas might form mycelium early, while others will take a long time.Wait until the colony is formed to lower the heat.
Step 10: The mycelium should be covered with 1 in of soil.
Spread a layer of regular potting soil over the newly formed roots.The mycelium is delicate and will be protected by this layer.Most home improvement stores and garden centers have potting soil.
Step 11: You should water the soil daily and cover the tray with a damp cloth.
The environment needs to be moist in order for mushrooms to grow.In order to release water into the soil throughout the day, drape a damp cloth over the tray.If you don't have a cloth to cover the tray, you can spread a layer of damp newspaper across the top of the soil.Remove the newspaper when mushrooms form.If you want to keep the cloth damp, make sure to mist it or just run it under water.
Step 12: The mushrooms need 3-4 weeks to grow.
After a month, the first mushrooms should emerge from the soil.Allow them to reach full maturity before harvesting them.Mist the soil when mushrooms start to form.The first tray of mushrooms can be produced for 3-6 months.
Step 13: The caps should open so that you can harvest the mushrooms.
The cap will open when the mushrooms are mature.To slice through the stem, use a sharp knife.To avoid cutting the stem, some gardeners twist off the caps.If you don't know how to cook mushrooms, you can eat them raw or make a mushroom gravy for chicken.