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There are grow-your-own mushroom kits on the retail market, by why buy new, what you can easily find around most preppers?
First step, a sturdy box. Really sturdy. Most cardboard boxes will do if they aren't abused, and maybe have a bit of duct tape reinforcement.
Plastic liner, trash bag, plastic drop sheet, repurpose an old shower curtain that you're tired of, if there's no holes (may want to throw it in the washer and get rid of any leftover soap and shampoo.) Line box with it, maybe even trim and tape down the edges.
Now the hard part, what does your preferred mushroom actually eat? Many aren't picky, but most do well in the right medium, usually composted manure. You start by microwaving it in small batches, to make sure nothing else is in there that lives to grow. Not sure how long, I'm sure the oven would work, but probably destroy more of what makes mushrooms happy. When it cools, place the sterilized compost into the plastic-lined box.
Next, you want to put back some of the moisture lost when you were zapping that stuff. Just a little at a time, probably easier to do with a spray bottle as you put the small amounts into the box. It needs to be moist like healthy soil, not sloppy like a mud pie.
If your mushroom breed needs certain things, like decaying pine needles, decaying oak branches, etc, add those at whatever depth works for the mushrooms. Research is your friend.
Leave the top of everything 3 or 4" below the top of the box, you'll make a lid soon. If you're growing things that are best cut at 5 or 6" tall, then make sure you have that much space, they shouldn't have to push the lid up to get your attention.
Now you want a few sacrificial mushrooms, fresh, and just barely at the point that it's ready to release spores. You want those spores all over the top your growing medium (the stuff in the box.) Chop the mushrooms fine and make sure every bit of any powdery remains get in there. Spritz some more water, and make it nice and moist.
Next, make a lid to fit, ventilate the lid nicely - punch holes with a big nail maybe. Cover your project box and find a spot where it will be comfy, even a little cool. The decay happening in the compost will increase the heat. Check frequently to make sure the moisture and temperature are ok. Should be warmer than the fridge, wetter than my front yard, and for that matter, a good bit cooler than my front yard - so 65-80ish degrees Fahrenheit.
First step, a sturdy box. Really sturdy. Most cardboard boxes will do if they aren't abused, and maybe have a bit of duct tape reinforcement.
Plastic liner, trash bag, plastic drop sheet, repurpose an old shower curtain that you're tired of, if there's no holes (may want to throw it in the washer and get rid of any leftover soap and shampoo.) Line box with it, maybe even trim and tape down the edges.
Now the hard part, what does your preferred mushroom actually eat? Many aren't picky, but most do well in the right medium, usually composted manure. You start by microwaving it in small batches, to make sure nothing else is in there that lives to grow. Not sure how long, I'm sure the oven would work, but probably destroy more of what makes mushrooms happy. When it cools, place the sterilized compost into the plastic-lined box.
Next, you want to put back some of the moisture lost when you were zapping that stuff. Just a little at a time, probably easier to do with a spray bottle as you put the small amounts into the box. It needs to be moist like healthy soil, not sloppy like a mud pie.
If your mushroom breed needs certain things, like decaying pine needles, decaying oak branches, etc, add those at whatever depth works for the mushrooms. Research is your friend.
Leave the top of everything 3 or 4" below the top of the box, you'll make a lid soon. If you're growing things that are best cut at 5 or 6" tall, then make sure you have that much space, they shouldn't have to push the lid up to get your attention.
Now you want a few sacrificial mushrooms, fresh, and just barely at the point that it's ready to release spores. You want those spores all over the top your growing medium (the stuff in the box.) Chop the mushrooms fine and make sure every bit of any powdery remains get in there. Spritz some more water, and make it nice and moist.
Next, make a lid to fit, ventilate the lid nicely - punch holes with a big nail maybe. Cover your project box and find a spot where it will be comfy, even a little cool. The decay happening in the compost will increase the heat. Check frequently to make sure the moisture and temperature are ok. Should be warmer than the fridge, wetter than my front yard, and for that matter, a good bit cooler than my front yard - so 65-80ish degrees Fahrenheit.
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