Ever since I can remember I’ve been captivated by the world of fungi. Growing up in South Wales, I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by nature. Much of my youth was spent exploring the deciduous woodlands and meadows, where I regularly encountered all sorts of fungi. Mushrooms are truly remarkable organisms: they have the ability to break down organic matter and transform it into nutrient-rich soil, making them an essential component of any sustainable growing system. They also happen to be delicious and highly nutritious, with many species having impressive medicinal properties.
My fascination with mushrooms has only grown deeper over the years and was cemented as I became immersed in the wider world of agriculture. When I pursued my degree in aquaculture and fisheries management, I became increasingly aware of the environmental impact of traditional farming practices. I would regularly daydream about cultivating mushrooms. They are a truly unique crop — they have the ability to convert waste products into new, nourishing foods and hold strong potential for sustainable food production.
After working for some time at a fish farm in Scotland I took some time out. I spent nearly two years travelling around India, Asia and Australia, but my time was cut short by the onset of the pandemic and I returned home. It was during this period of uncertainty that I decided to turn a lifelong passion for fungi into a tangible business venture. I began selling mushroom-growing kits at local markets. Fast-forward to today and Urban Farm-It is a one-stop shop and online learning resource for all things mushroom cultivation. However, growing mushrooms can be tricky without the right materials and a bit of know-how. That’s why I set out to write a book that will both excite and educate budding new mycologists while arming them with all the necessary knowledge to grow a vast array of mushrooms at home.
For those new to mushroom cultivation there’s no better place to start than with oyster mushrooms. These fast-growing, versatile fungi are a favourite among home growers, and for good reason. Here’s a quick guide to getting started.
Oyster mushrooms
What you’ll need
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• Spawn — available online
• Substrate (straw, sawdust etc)
• A heat-resistant growing container (such as a brewing bucket or a polyethylene bag)
• Tape/pegs
• Clean spray bottle
Source mushroom spawn Select the type of oyster mushroom you want to grow. Here are some of my favourite types to try out:
• Blue/grey oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus): grows in cold temperatures
• Pink oyster (Pleurotus djamor): grows in hot temperatures
• Yellow oyster (Pleurotus citrinopileatus): grows in mild temperatures
The grey oyster mushroom is perhaps the most popular choice — and it grows naturally in the UK.
Choose a substrate Oyster mushrooms can grow on a variety of substrates, including straw, sawdust and coffee grounds. Many growers prefer to use chopped wheat straw, which can be easily sourced online, from a local farm or garden centre.
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Prepare your substrate Pasteurise the straw by submerging it in hot water (65-80C), folding over the top of the bag and taping shut. Leave for up to eight hours or until entirely cooled. Once time is up, it’s time to drain your substrate. Squeeze the substrate bag to get rid of any excess liquid — it is extremely important that it is well drained as waterlogged material can lead to mould growth.
Inoculate the substrate Once you have pasteurised your substrate, you’ll need to introduce the oyster mushroom mycelium (the white wool-like threads). This can be done using mushroom spawn, which is essentially a mixture of mycelium and a carrier material such as sawdust or grain. A good mix rate to use is 10 per cent dry weight (10g of spawn per 100g dry straw). Mix the spawn thoroughly with your substrate, then pack it tightly into a growing container.
Incubate and fruit Place your inoculated substrate in a warm (18-22C), dark place to incubate (avoid placing it directly alongside heat sources such as radiators or greenhouses, as the temperature tends to fluctuate too much). After two to three weeks you should see white, thread-like mycelium beginning to colonise the substrate. Once the mycelium has fully colonised the substrate (thick white all over), it’s time to fruit. Move your growing container to a cooler, more humid location with indirect light and mist the surface of the substrate regularly to raise humidity and trigger fruiting.
Lion’s mane mushrooms
If you’re feeling more adventurous, you might want to try your hand at growing lion’s mane mushrooms (Hericium erinaceus). These striking, tooth-like fungi are increasingly popular and the most searched for mushroom in the UK, largely due to their purported medicinal properties, such has boosting mental health and helping sleep. While they are rewarding to grow, they can be a bit trickier to cultivate than oyster mushrooms.
Lion’s mane mushrooms prefer to grow on hardwood substrates such as oak or beech sawdust. They also require more precise environmental conditions, with a narrower range of optimal temperatures and humidity levels. Lion’s mane mycelium also tends to be slower and less aggressive than that of oyster mushrooms, meaning it can take longer to fully colonise a substrate and thus be more susceptible to contamination.
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Whereas oyster mushrooms can be easily grown using low-tech equipment and modest sanitisation, lion’s mane mushrooms require far more attention. This can make growing them from scratch a more costly and involved process as you may require laboratory equipment.
For these reasons most home growers find it easier to start with a pre-made growing kit or ready-to-fruit block, which takes some of the guesswork out of the process and allows you to fruit lion’s mane quickly.
Whichever type of mushroom you choose to grow, the key is to start small and be patient. Like any skill, mushroom cultivation takes practice and persistence to master. But the rewards — both in terms of the delicious, nutritious crops you’ll harvest and the deeper understanding of fungi — are well worth the effort.
Growing Mushrooms at Home by Elliot Webb (Kyle Books £18.99). To order a copy go to timesbookshop.co.uk or call 020 3176 2935. Free UK standard P&P on orders over £25. Special discount available for Times+ members
