Growing your own mushroom at home is easy and not as difficult as you think. Mushrooms can be a rewarding project because of the multitude usage of it. Generally, the common mushroom such as the Agaricus species can grow easily on compost, held in bags, trays, and boxes or raised beds. Here are the methods on how to grow your own mushrooms, making your own compost, casing and harvesting.

• Compost making

Choosing good quality of mushrooms compost can give a very big effect on the success of a crop. There are 3 stage operations which are normally used in making mushroom compost:

All the raw materials are mixed, moistened and allowed to undergo through some initial decomposition in a large heap. Usually, a mixture of straw and manure makes up the bulk of the compost. Make sure the compost is moist but not over wet during this stage. Add 1.5kg of gypsum and 1.2 kg of urea or ammonium sulphate. The center of the heap will become hot and its color will darken within two weeks.

Turn the heap every 2 to 3 days and to keep them moist, water when necessary.

Moved the compost indoors or into a shed after a further 2 to 4 weeks where the temperature and oxygen content are better controlled. Keep the temperature in the heap between 40 to 60 degrees centigrade. You can use a thermometer to check the temperature and turning the heap regularly. The compost will be uniformed, non greasy texture and dark brown. You will not smell any trace of ammonia which occurred earlier. Make sure to use the mushrooms compost as soon as possible after it has been prepared.

• Spawning

Spawn production is a very sophisticated scientific process, hence most mushroom grower do not produce their own spawn. Spawn varies in color which depends on age. If there is little or even no sign of white mycelium growth of the fungi, it is categorized as fresh spawn. If it\’s too dense then this may indicate that the spawn is too old. Always choose spawn in between these situations. You have to check whether there is a visible sign of non mushroom growth. Don\’t purchase if there are two different types of mycelia in the same spawn. If you chose to grow in spawn, the optimum of temperature for the mycelia is 25 Celsius. A cottony growth should appear around the grain after about three or four days depending on the conditions. After about 2 weeks, the mycelia should have thoroughly grown through the compost. Provide a ventilation or cooling system to take the temperature down. It is important as once the mycelia have grown to this point, it will generally increase heat in the compost.

• Casing

To stimulate the mushrooms growth, a layer of material or casing will be put over the top of the compost. Usually the casing that can be used is usually high in organic material and should be free from any pests and diseases. You can sterilize the casing by drenching it in formaldehyde solution or by pasteurization at 60 Celsius for 3 hours. The casing should have an open mixture, non water repellent when dry and have a pH between 6.5 and 8. When applied to the compost, the depth should be of 3 to 50cm over the top of the compost. To test whether the casing is being applied evenly, test the depth at frequent intervals.

• Harvesting

There are 3 stages in which the mushrooms may be harvested which are the buttons, where these are unopened with gills are not exposed and will remain unopened throughout until they are eaten. The harvest at this stage will not be as abundant, and the flavor is not as good as the developed fruits. For cups stage, the veil has opened or will probably open before it is used. These mushrooms, they have a rounded cap and are also preferred to the fully opened mushroom. While the fully opened mushrooms or flats, the gills are exposed and the cap has flattened. The mushrooms are larger and the gills go first pink and then slowly become dark brown as time goes on. To pick the mushrooms, pick each mushroom with an upward motion and break them off at the casing surface.

Additional reading:
http://www.acs.edu.au/info/horticulture/plants/mushrooms.aspx

Image Credit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7147684@N03/1018098506/

Growing Mushrooms at Home is a post from: DIY Guides

Related posts:

1. Growing Mushrooms
2. Growing mushroom kits
3. Growing indoor mushroom kit

Indoor mushroom kit can help you to produce home grown mushroom supply for all year round even during winter time. The best thing that you won\’t need a big space, hence the name \’indoor mushroom kit\’ which means that it can be done inside your home. Mushrooms can get into any dish used in any multitude of ways. Unlike regular garden vegetables that are produced by seeds, mushrooms are produced by spores underneath the cap. The microscopic bodies are far smaller than the tiniest seeds. They are also produced from germinated spawn which are the threadlike mycelia grown in a specially prepared medium. Think of the spawn as the seedlings and the spores as the seed. Here are the methods on how to grow your own mushroom kit in your home.

• Things to get you started

  The most convenient and reliable way to start your own growing edible fungi is with an easy-to-use mushroom kit. Generally, the kit will consist of a cardboard box or perforated bag that contains pre-inoculated media for growing mushrooms, and all the ingredients that you need to get started. Most of the kits will produce several crops within a period of 8 to 15 weeks which depends on the type of mushroom. The price of mushroom kits may vary according to the species and manufacturers.

• Cool and damp temperature

  Bathroom, kitchen, garage and basement, unused cabinet, shower, and underneath the kitchen sink are among the primer indoor mushroom growing locations that you can use. You don\’t have to get a big space for your mushroom kits. However, you need to create a near darkness, humid environment within 70 to 80 percent which is ideal for mushroom growth. While for the temperature, keep it between 55 to 70 degrees.

• Light control

  There should be no direct light for the area where the kits inhibit. Some types of mushroom such as the oyster mushrooms might need some filtered or indirect light to produce. White mushrooms, cremini and Portobello mushrooms however need complete darkness to produce. Any amount of light will cause them to develop dark brown caps.

• Types of mushroom to grow

  Oysters, wine caps and various button type mushrooms are suitable and the easiest types of mushroom to grow inside your home. You can also grow your own cremini and Portobello mushrooms as long you are following the right methods. You can also purchase the Shiitake mushroom kits for indoor growing. The kit contains the same materials such as the cardboard that contains pre-inoculated media.

• Miscellaneous

  The key of growing mushrooms kit is keeping the moisture and constant humidity crucial for mushrooms to develop and grow. Avoid dry air that can be quickly lead to the downfall of any mushroom growing endeavors. The medium should be kept moist but not so much that it will become wet and soggy. A water filled bottle for a daily misting will help to provide needed moisture and help to maintain a humid environment. Using an electric fan will also increase the air circulation with constant flow of air.

  Additional reading:
  http://www.oregonlive.com/hg/index.ssf/2010/01/growing_mushrooms_indoors_with.html

  Image Credit:
  http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonathangill/2538825140/

Growing indoor mushroom kit is a post from: DIY Guides

Related posts:

1. Growing mushroom kits
2. Growing Mushrooms
3. Growing Mushrooms at Home

flickr

Strawberries are derived from a flowering plant in the rose family, Rosaceae. There are more than 20 different types of strawberries and a whole lot more hybrids and cultivars. The most common type of strawberries grown are the Garden strawberry. They are plants that can be grown in containers outdoors as well as indoors. For successful strawberry cultivation, you will need to choose the right cultivar, plant them correctly and provide them with at least six to eight hours of sunlight a day.

Selecting a Strawberry Variety

There are different types of strawberries to choose from when deciding which cultivar you want to use. It depends on the timing of the harvest that you prefer, growing conditions, as well as the climate that you live in. There are basically three main categories of garden strawberries:

June Bearing – which produces one large crop annually during the spring

Everbearing – produces 2 to 3 crops during the spring, summer and fall

Day Neutral – produces continuously throughout the growing season; yield not as large as June Bearing variety.

The planting zone in your area can affect the timing you can plant you strawberries. For areas with warmer climates, strawberries can be planted in the fall or early winter. Otherwise they should not be planted until the beginning of spring when soil can be worked on. Always plant only after the frost has passed.

Red alpine strawberries (which is an everbearer) are best grown indoors because they are tolerant with shady conditions, while the Brighton variety can be cultivate in hanging baskets. Regardless whether you prefer indoor or outdoor gardening, consult the local greenhouse to see which varieties suits your area.

Planting Strawberries Indoors in Containers

Prepping the Soil

Once you\’ve decided on the type of strawberry to plant, you should take steps to prepare the soil. Soil pH of 5.3 to 6.5 is suitable for strawberries, but it is not uncommon for strawberries to grow in soils that have a slightly higher or lower pH level than this range. You may also want to add some controlled-release fertilizer to the soil before planting.

Prepping the Plant

Trim off older leaves from the plant and remove all flowers and runners. Trim the roots so that they are about 4 to 5 inches in length. Remove any damaged area and place the roots for an hour in water before you plant. Plant the strawberry with the crown of the plant level with the soil\’s surface. Allow the roots to fan out.

figure 1

Using Strawberry Pots

Strawberry pots can hold one to three plants at the top and are designed with pockets in the sides that can hold any runners that developed as the plant matured.

Refer to Figure 1 for a visual guide on how to plant your strawberry pot.

You will need

• One PVC pipe capped at one end
• A drill
• Potting soil
• A strawberry pot.

Method

• Cut the pipe to length so that it will sit flush with the strawberry pot\’s rim.
• Drill 1/8″ diameter holes with a spacing of one inch apart on opposing sides of the pipe.
• Fill the pot with soil half way then insert the pipe with its cap end down, into the center of the pot.
• Add the remainder potting mix.
• Plant each pocket with a strawberry plant.
• Plant two to three plants at the top
• Soak the soil well and water the pot by inserting a funnel into the pipe and pour water into it. Make sure that the water is distributed evenly through the pot.

flickr

Caring for the Plant

During the first six weeks after planting, remove all blossoms on ever-bearing and day-neutral plants to encourage more root and foliage growth instead of flowering and fruiting.

Water – water the plants every day until the growing season. 1 to 2 inches of water per week encourages the growth of juicy fruits. This is especially important when the fruit is forming.

Fertilizer - Make sure that the container is free from weeds. You do not want weeds to compete with your strawberry plant for nutrients. Fertilize them once a month, until it starts flowering, then increase fertilization to once every 10 days until harvest season is over. Use a fertilizer high in potassium.

Sunlight - Make sure that the plants get at least six hours of sunlight a day for a harvestable yield, the more the better it is. If you have your strawberries in hanging baskets, rotate them so that all plants attain optimal lighting.

Pests and Insects - Aphids and red spider mites are a strawberry plant\’s worse nightmare. Powdery mildew can also become a problem. Treat it with adequate amount of the right pesticide and fungicide as required.

It won\’t be long after you are rewarded with juicy fresh strawberries for your picking.

More Reading:

Growing Strawberries: What to Do Throughout The Seasons:

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/growing-strawberries–what-to-do-throughout-the-seasons

Strawberry Planting: When, Where, and How-To:

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/strawberry-planting-when-where-and-howto

Strawberries: http://gardening.about.com/od/fruitsberriesnuts/a/Strawberries.htm

How to Plant Strawberries Indoors: http://thegardenersrake.com/how-to-grow-strawberries-indoors-in-a-strawberry-pot

Planting Strawberries Indoors is a post from: DIY Guides

Related posts:

1. Growing Strawberries
2. Harvesting and Storing Your Strawberries
3. Planting a Ground Cherry