Growing mushrooms

Rosalie G showed us her bath tub with mushrooms during a recent Food Garden Group visit. Afterwards quite a few people expressed an interest in following her example, so, with my journalist hat on, I contacted Rosalie and asked her some ‘penetrating’ questions:

Why do you grow mushrooms?
I have grown mushrooms for years.  I used to grow the kits you get from the garden centers, but now I grow them from the compost bags I buy from the guy at  the Margate train.  These are a lot cheaper, and I find more productive.  I always discard any mushrooms that are present and only take the next crop.  This is not what they are sold as (they are sold as compost for the garden), but I know many people who grow mushrooms in this way.

So the ‘mushroom compost bags’ that are discarded by commercial mushroom producers are in fact still capable of producing a lot of mushrooms?
Yes.  That is what I grow mine from, and I know other people who do the same.  As I said I always discard the ones in the bag when I get it, in case they are dirty.  I am sure this is not what they are sold for but they work.  I have never got sick from them.  It is however up to the individual.  Anybody concerned should buy a box of spores at a hardware store.  There you may also be able to choose between various mushroom varieties.

What do mushrooms need to be productive?
I believe mushrooms need a dark and moist environment to grow.  I am not sure what the ideal temperature is.  I don't think I get the most out of my mushrooms, but I only need a few each week, so I am not concerned.  The bags last for months and keep on producing and they are only $4.50 per bag.

Please tell us a bit more about your setup
I put my bags in a supported old bath tub with a bucket under the drain hole, to collect the run off.  The bath tub was from the tip shop and cheap.  The whole thing is covered with black shade cloth.  I think shade cloth would be better than plastic as it allows air to circulate.  I have them in the back of my garage.  I water them twice a week with a watering can.  I know other people who grow them under decks and under houses.

How long does a mushroom compost bag last?
The bags take 1 to 2 weeks before they begin to produce and I get about 2 to 4 kilos from each bag over the months they are productive.  However there is a great deal of variation, and some produce more than others.  I put the finished compost into my compost system.  I understand that too much mushroom compost can alter the PH of your soil, so I mix it with other compost.

Any recommendations for people who like to give this a try?
Just give it a go.  Learn as you go along.

Thank you, Rosalie. When thinking about growing your own food, most people think of gardening or keeping animals, but growing mushrooms is equally useful and interesting. Now it is over to us to give this a try!