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.
Is a mushroom growing kit worth it? ›
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.
How long does a grow your own mushroom kit last? ›
How long do mushroom growing kits last? 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.
What is the easiest mushroom kit to grow? ›
Oyster mushrooms are by far the easiest and most reliable mushrooms to grow. For beginners we recommend our Mist & Grow Oyster mushroom grow kits. Simply cut an X in one side of the bag, cover with a humidity tent, and mist a few times daily. Within 7-10 days a cluster of baby mushrooms will appear!
How many times can you reuse a 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.
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.
What is the best mushroom to grow to sell? ›
Shiitake and oyster mushrooms are the best choice for small-scale production, since they don't require a lot of equipment and space. Shiitake mushrooms are often sold in grocery stores, health food stores, and farmers' markets and are also quite popular for their flavor and consistency.
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.
What is the white stuff in mushroom grow kit? ›
The white layer on your substrate block is mycelium, which is the main part of the fungus that produces your mushrooms! By scraping mycelium on the surface of your substrate, you are stimulating the organism and kickstarting mushroom growth.
What is the easiest edible mushroom to grow? ›
Pretty much every mushroom growing resource I could find says that oyster mushrooms are the easiest variety for first time-growers, as they grow fast and can easily thrive in substrates made of things like coffee grounds and straw, making them relatively low maintenance.
You'll need to get at least your spawn, substrate and bags to start growing mushrooms. We recommend starting with ready-to-inoculate spawn. You can start with a sterile culture, but there's a lot more that can go wrong in the process and it's not as beginner-friendly.
Are mushroom kits worth it? ›
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.
Do mushroom grow kits need to be refrigerated? ›
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 mushroom kits go bad? ›
Mushroom grow kits can be surprisingly resilient. While we recommend fruiting your grow kit as soon as possible, if you need to, you can store your grow kit in the refrigerator for up to 6 months!
How much do you get out of a mushroom grow 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.
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.
Do mushroom grow bags work? ›
Some mushroom cultivators like to use mushroom grow bags because this method of growing offers several benefits, including: Mushroom grow bags are generally pretty easy to keep sterile, especially if they're equipped with a filter patch (more on this in a moment) Mushroom grow bags can help growers to conserve space.
