A Low-Tech Journey to Mushroom Growing Success
Hey there, fellow mushroom enthusiasts! Today, I want to share with you our exciting journey into low-tech mushroom cultivation. My buddy Simon and I embarked on this adventure, and let me tell you, it’s been a wild ride!
It all started when we decided to try our hand at growing Oyster Blue Gray mushrooms. We got our hands on some mushroom spawn and dove headfirst into the process. Now, if you’ve been following our previous posts, you’ll know that we experimented with various substrates to find the perfect growing medium. After some trial and error, we discovered that a mixture of straw and used coffee beans worked wonders for our mushrooms. Also how we set up the shed on my allotment to be dark and arrange the polytunnel and sew bags to grow the mushrooms in.
Speaking of coffee beans, we initially tried using coffee husks, but unfortunately, they tended to get waterlogged, resulting in less-than-ideal fruiting conditions. Lesson learned! Stick with the beans themselves mixed with straw for optimal results.
Once our mushrooms started to grow, it was like watching magic unfold before our eyes. They sprouted up remarkably fast, and we made sure to give them a daily spritz of water to keep them happy and hydrated. Trust me, there’s nothing quite like the sight of those beautiful mushrooms thriving under our care.
But here’s the really cool part: we noticed a fascinating knock-on effect from our mushroom-growing endeavors. You see, I’ve had a grapevine sitting in my polytunnel for years, but it never quite produced the fruit I hoped for. However, after delving into mushroom cultivation, something amazing happened. This year, the grapevine flourished like never before!
Inspired by this newfound success, Simon and I decided to put those grapes to good use. We turned them into homemade wine vinegar, and let me tell you, the results were nothing short of spectacular. It’s incredible how one simple venture into mushroom growing can lead to such unexpected delights.
Now, let’s talk a bit about the benefits of using old coffee grounds for growing mushrooms. In simpler terms, these grounds act as a fantastic substrate for mushroom growth due to their rich nutrient content. As the mushrooms feed on the coffee grounds, they absorb essential nutrients, resulting in robust and flavorful fruiting bodies. Plus, by repurposing used coffee grounds, we’re not only reducing waste but also creating a sustainable and eco-friendly growing environment. We are very grateful to the Dark Horse Roastery, for the coffee gains, bags and support.
So, there you have it—our low-tech mushroom growing journey, complete with unexpected discoveries and delicious rewards. If you’re thinking about diving into mushroom cultivation yourself, don’t hesitate! With a bit of experimentation and a whole lot of passion, you might just uncover your own mushroom-growing success story. Happy growing, friends! Simon and I our planning to grow even more variety’s this year.
Link to buy to start your own!