By Rajan Bhattacharya
July 27, 2024
Button mushrooms are easy to grow indoors with minimal equipment. They offer a rewarding experience for home gardeners and can be cultivated year-round.
For convenience, use a mushroom-growing kit. Kits include manure, substrate, trays, and a spray bottle.
Mix equal parts compost and manure. This nitrogen-rich environment is ideal for button mushrooms. Due to its strong smell, prepare the mixture in a well-ventilated area.
Fill trays with 6 inches of compost and manure mix, leaving an inch of space at the top. Ensure the soil is level for even mushroom growth.
Spread pre-treated spores evenly over the compost mix. Mist with water to maintain a damp environment for mushroom development.
Place the tray on a heating pad set to 21°C (70°F). Monitor the temperature with a soil thermometer to avoid damaging the spores.
Move the tray to a dark, cool room. Mist the soil twice daily to maintain moisture for mycelium formation.
Once mycelium appears, lower the temperature to 10°C (50°F). Cover the mycelium with an inch of potting soil to support growth.
Water daily and keep the tray covered with a damp cloth. After 3-4 weeks, mushrooms will sprout. Harvest them when the caps open by slicing the stem below the cap.