8 Tactics To Grow White Button Mushrooms

Ever wanted to grow your own mushrooms?

It’s easier than you think!

White button mushrooms are perfect to start with.

Check out these 8 simple tactics to grow them at home.

Let’s get growing!

Get the Right Mushroom Spawn

Let It Incubate

The first step to growing white button mushrooms is getting the right spawn. You can buy mushroom spawn from a gardening store or online.

Make sure it’s fresh and specifically for white button mushrooms. This will make your mushroom-growing journey a lot smoother.

Prepare the Growing Medium

Mushrooms need a nutrient-rich medium to grow. Compost is usually the best choice.

You can prepare it by mixing straw, horse manure, and water. Let it sit for a few weeks for everything to break down properly.

Once your compost is ready, fluff it up to provide the perfect home for your mushrooms.

Pasteurize the Compost

Pasteurize the Compost

Pasteurizing the compost helps kill any unwanted organisms. Heat the compost to about 160°F for an hour.

You can do this by wrapping it in a tarp and placing it in the sun or using a large oven. Once it’s pasteurized, let it cool before adding your mushroom spawn.

Mix the Spawn and Compost

Once your compost is cooled down, it’s time to mix in the spawn. Spread the compost out and sprinkle the spawn evenly over it.

Then, mix everything together thoroughly. This helps ensure that your mushrooms will grow evenly throughout the compost.

Let It Incubate

Get the Right Mushroom Spawn

Place your compost in a container and cover it with a lid or plastic wrap. Keep it in a dark place at around 70°F.

After a few weeks, you should see white web-like threads throughout the compost. This means the mushroom mycelium is spreading and doing its thing!

Add a Casing Layer

Now, add a casing layer on top of your compost. This is usually made of peat moss and lime.

This layer helps keep the humidity high, which is crucial for mushroom growth. Spread it evenly over the compost and mist it lightly with water.

Start Fruiting the Mushrooms

Start Fruiting the Mushrooms

Once the mycelium has colonized the compost, it’s time to start fruiting. Lower the temperature to around 55-60°F and increase the humidity.

You can do this by misting the casing layer regularly. In a week or two, you should start seeing tiny white mushrooms popping up!

Harvest and Enjoy

When your mushrooms are about 1-2 inches tall, they’re ready to be harvested. Gently twist and pull them out of the compost.

Fresh white button mushrooms taste amazing and can be used in so many dishes. Enjoy your homegrown goodies!

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