Growing Mushrooms..

[MartreCycle]

spotted in passing that Dobies ( the seed people ) - www.dobies.co.uk

are selling spawn plugs for various type of mushrooms that can be grown on wood for less than a tenner for 30 "plugs"

I liked the simplicity of their information - so much so I will be attempting this year.

"...Culture: Supplied as 'wooden plugs' - all you need to do is find some freshly cut logs (except from pine trees), drill holes in them and push them in. Cropping commences after 4-10 months and continues 3-5 times a year for 3-5 years. Supplied with full cultural instructions."

Anyone - any advice to novice mushroom grower ?

[jillybean]

Yes, keep your expectations low. I meticulously followed my slightly more comprehensive instructions, and am still waiting a year later. :{

[Rich]

Yeah I thought it would be a good idea to grow them instead of using the logs for firewood, but once you've coppiced the micro climate really heats up and becomes too hot and dry in a freshly felled cant. I was advised to move them into the shade or put up some shade cloth...keep them damp (Yes with water you just happen to have lying around conveniently)... then there would be problems with deer disturbance... then the cost...then they don't always come up... blah blah... then all of a sudden firewood didin't seem too bad an option!

Rich

[Darren]

I sell mushroom logs. The two logs I have left from last year have both fruited. A squirrel or other rodent has nicked the mushrooms. I wonder if your mushrooms have been taken?

[happybonzo]

I never had many Mushrooms ( of the edible type) until two Ponies wandered into the Wood... There after we seem to have mushrooms

[docsquid]

I haven't tried growing "tame" mushrooms, but we had a fantastic crop of wild parasol mushrooms this year and they were very tasty. If you can learn to identify a few edible species, particularly those that are not readily confused with anything inedible (parasol mushrooms are one of these) then you might well find planting them isn't needed.

I'd like to have a go at planting some though...