In this article we explain the difference between the Mushroom Kit and the Mini Farm to help you decide which will be best for you.
Mushroom Grow Kit
Skill level: Beginner / Easy
The Mushroom Grow Kit is ready to grow. All you need to do is:
- Remove the recipe card panel on the back of the box
- Cut open the bag inside according to the instruction card
- Mist with water 2-3 times per day
Time investment:
- Ready to grow immediately
- Monitor daily
- Spray 2-3 times per day
- 7-14 days growing time
The Mushroom Grow Kit doesn't require much attention. Once you've cut open the kit you need to keep up the humidity by misting it daily and checking on it once or twice per day. Most kits will grow mushrooms in 7-14 days but it can take up to 21 days (this is rare).
Expect to grow: 2-3 harvests of mushrooms / 150g - 300g
The first flush will always be the biggest. We've had some customers grow up to 4 flushes of mushrooms from our kits but on average you'll get 2 harvests. Once the kit has run out of nutrients and water it will be "spent" and won't produce any more mushrooms.
DIY Organic Mushroom Mini Farm + Mini Course
Skill level: Intermediate / More involved
The DIY Organic Mushroom Mini Farm is great for people wanting to delve deeper into mushroom growing. Using the DIY Mini Farm you will learn the process to create your own mushroom grow kits using a reusable mushroom bucket.
The Mini Farm is more involved than the ready-to-grow mushroom kits and the possibility of error is greater due to starting the process from scratch. The reward however, is knowing how to grow your own oyster mushrooms from start to finish, using ingredients and materials at home. You can become completely self-sufficient in oyster mushroom growing using the method taught in the tutorial video.
Time investment:
- 30 mins hands-on preparation time
- 2-3 weeks incubation time
- 7-14 day growing time
The Mini Farm comes with a three module Mini Course. The step-by-step video tutorial included with the DIY Mini Farm runs for approximately 20 minutes and will guide you through the process to create your Mini Farm. This process takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.
Once you've created your Mini Farm it needs to incubate for 2-3 weeks before it will be ready to fruit mushrooms.
Expect to grow: 2 harvests of mushrooms / 150g - 250g
The first flush will always be the biggest. On average you'll get 2 harvests. The amount of mushrooms is dependent on the dry weight of material used in the bucket.
The difference in the mushroom yield is largely due to the mix of substrate used in the Mini Farm and the preparation technique.
Once the mushrooms have consumed the nutrients and water available in the substrate, it will stop producing mushrooms. It's time then to start the process again using your newly acquired knowledge and skills and your reusable mushroom bucket!
FAQs
Using the DIY Mini Farm you will learn the process to create your own mushroom grow kits using a reusable mushroom bucket. The Mini Farm is more involved than the ready-to-grow mushroom kits and the possibility of error is greater due to starting the process from scratch.
Are mushroom grow kits worth it? ›
Should You Try a Kit? If you have any interest in growing mushrooms at all, and you aren't ready to do it from scratch, then most definitely yes- you should try a kit! It will give you an idea of how mushrooms grow, and what requirements they need in order to fruit properly.
Do mushroom kits keep producing? ›
Each grow kit usually lasts for about 2-3 harvests, but this will vary depending on the variety of grow kit you choose. Kits may produce more or less mushrooms in total before they expire and must be replaced.
Can I use a mushroom grow kit as spawn? ›
If you're feeling creative, you can use your Spray & Grow Kit like you would spawn, and inoculate some containers! This process works best with oyster mushroom kits that are hydrated well or have recently fruited. After digesting most of the block's food, the hungry mycelium will happily jump to more substrate.
What's in a mushroom grow kit? ›
These kits are blocks of compressed waste from sawmills, which have been implanted with the mycelium of wood-eating fungus. (Mycelium are the fine, hairlike tendrils that are the principal part of any fungus; mushrooms are merely the fruiting parts — similar to apples on a tree.)
What is the most valuable mushroom to grow at home? ›
Some easier to cultivate and sell but high value mushrooms are maitake, lion's mane, and depending where you are shiitakes. The mushrooms that are the most profitable tend to be mushrooms going for the supplement or health field rather than culinary.
Is mushroom farming difficult? ›
It can be overwhelming at first, but starting a mushroom farm is fairly simple. There are two options for starting your mushroom farm: indoor or outdoor. Indoor mushroom farming is the best option for serious year-round production.
How efficient is mushroom farming? ›
On average, one square foot of space in a mushroom bed can produce 6.55 pounds of mushrooms. One square foot is 144 square inches, or 4.5 red bricks in a patio – that's a lot of production power in a small space! In fact, one acre of land can produce 1 million pounds of mushrooms.
How many harvests do you get from a mushroom kit? ›
Expect to grow: 2-3 harvests of mushrooms / 150g - 300g
The first flush will always be the biggest. We've had some customers grow up to 4 flushes of mushrooms from our kits but on average you'll get 2 harvests. Once the kit has run out of nutrients and water it will be "spent" and won't produce any more mushrooms.
Where is the best place to put a mushroom kit? ›
We recommend placing your grow kit on your kitchen bench, out of direct sunlight. This will allow you to check on them daily and serve as a reminder to spray your grow kit regularly to keep humidity high.
Most mushroom kits will store for 3-6 months in the fridge if necessary. To store your kit, keep it in the fridge. This puts the mycelium into hibernation and will prevent it escaping the box early. Don't keep it somewhere it could exceed 30 degrees Celsius.
Can I reuse my mushroom grow kit? ›
Yes, you can most definitely reuse mushroom grow kits! Mushroom grow kits are generally designed to give you more than one harvest depending on the species of mushroom inside your growing kit. There is enough water nutrition available in the substrate to give you multiple harvests over a period of 2-10 weeks.
Can mycelium grow forever? ›
Longevity. In principle, a mycelium that can spread through the ground could keep on growing indefinitely and large, old mycelia are known.
Are mushroom growing kits worth the money? ›
Mushroom grow kits are a great solution as they're easy to use and allow even the most inexperienced growers to produce fresh gourmet mushrooms year round. But not all mushroom grow kits are equal, so it's advisable to research and find a reliable supplier who offers a grow guarantee.
What is the white stuff in mushroom grow kit? ›
The white stuff is mycelium, which is the vegetative body of mushrooms. Think of it as the roots to a plants. The mycelium colonizes the substrate block, which is made up of locally sourced sawdust and organic soybean hulls, and once fully colonized the entire grow block will appear white.
How much do you get out of a mushroom grow kit? ›
Expect to grow: 2-3 harvests of mushrooms / 150g - 300g
Once the kit has run out of nutrients and water it will be "spent" and won't produce any more mushrooms.
Is a mushroom farm a good investment? ›
Mushroom farming can be lucrative. Like all business activities, mushroom farming does require some financial investment. However, when it is done correctly, mushroom farming can produce returns that make the initial investment more than worth it.
Is mushroom packaging cost effective? ›
Mushroom Packaging is a high-performing, cost-competitive, and insulating protective packaging solution. Mushroom® Packaging breakaway corners are fully home compostable and will return to the soil in 45 days.
How long do mushroom grow bags last? ›
How long do mushroom grow bags last? A. Mushroom grow bags should start producing from around 10 days after inoculation and will continue to provide you with flushes for a couple of months, sometimes even a year.
