Tired of typical hobbies like gardening or reading? This post is about a new hobby that is becoming increasingly popular—mushroom growing! While there are many ways to forage fungi from the wild, more and more people are choosing to cultivate them in their homes. Here are some of the many reasons why you should consider mushroom growing as your next recreational pursuit.
Safe to eat
Mushrooms are a natural food that grows on trees and fallen wood. However, while many varieties of mushrooms are edible, some are extremely poisonous when ingested. When foraging mushrooms, a wrong identification could lead to serious harm or even death! In contrast, cultivated mushrooms are grown from spores with their species clearly labeled so you can be assured that they are safe to consume and enjoy. Furthermore, home-grown mushrooms are cultivated in a controlled environment where you can ensure that they are free from contaminants.
Out-of-this-world experience
Aside from table mushrooms, did you know that you can also grow magic mushrooms? Magic mushrooms contain the psychoactive compounds psilocybin and psilocin. These compounds can induce an altered state of consciousness or a psychedelic experience that many users find inspiring and spiritual. Although magic mushrooms are relatively hard to find due to legal restrictions, magic mushroom spores are legal in most places and can be easily purchased online. Hence, you can effortlessly cultivate your own crop of magic mushrooms in the comfort of your own home.
Easy to grow
Unlike many types of gardening which require some form of physical activity, mushroom growing is fairly simple. While you will have to invest a little in initial supplies such as mushroom spores and substrates, these are usually quite affordable. Once you have set up a growing room, you do not have to worry about much else other than keeping the room clean and the humidity levels high. There is no weeding required and there are no pests or diseases to worry about either. Best of all, you do not have to toil under the hot sun!
Suitable for the family
Since mushroom growing does not require any strenuous activity, it is something that the whole family can enjoy together. Children can take part in the growing process and learn more about the natural environment. Unlike certain types of plants, mushrooms do not take very long to grow. Younger members of the family will be able to see the fruits of their labor in a matter of weeks or even days. Perfect for the impatient ones! Should you not have time to prepare substrate from scratch, you can even purchase convenient ready-to-grow mushroom kits.
Delicious and nutritious
Mushrooms are one of the most versatile foods that you can grow. They can be used to prepare a wide variety of dishes such as salads, soups, sauces, and stir-fries. They can also be dried and stored for later use. In addition, mushrooms are loaded with nutrients such as copper, B vitamins, iron, potassium, and phosphorus. They are also low in calories and fat, which makes them ideal for people who want to lose weight or maintain a healthy lifestyle. In addition, many types of mushrooms are high in antioxidants which can help to reduce cancer risk.
Great for the environment
Mushroom growing does not require the use of any chemical fertilizers or pesticides. You can use scrap pieces of wood or fallen trees from the garden as substrates for your mushrooms. In recent years, mushroom cultivators are also exploring ways to use food waste such as coffee grounds or compost in mushroom growing substrates, further reducing resource wastage. The spent mushroom substrate can also be introduced into garden soil as fertilizer. These are all fantastic ways to reuse precious natural resources and look after the environment.
Plenty of variety
There are numerous edible mushroom varieties that you can cultivate. Once you become an expert at growing the basic oyster mushrooms, you can try your hand at other types of mushrooms such as beech, shiitake, chestnuts, and lion’s mane. Each of these mushrooms has different requirements so you can challenge yourself and expand your knowledge. Learning how to cultivate various types of mushrooms is an excellent way to hone your skills as a gardener. Plus, it is interesting and rewarding to see how each spawn develops into a unique mushroom.
Bragging rights
Growing mushrooms is a fantastic way to show your friends and family your green thumb. Granted this is not the main reason why anyone should start cultivating mushrooms, but it is certainly a perk! Most people have never seen the whole process of mushroom growth from planting the spores to harvesting the crop and they would love to learn more. From magic mushrooms to meat alternatives, you can impress your visitors with your knowledge about how to grow and use various types of fungi.
Mushrooms are much easier to grow than most people think. If you are interested in learning the basics of mushroom cultivation, there are multiple books and online resources available that can teach you everything you need to know to get started. Spores and substrates can be purchased online or from your local gardening store, and it should take no more than a few weeks for you to harvest your first batch of delectable mushrooms. So why not get started right now?