At Caledonia Mushrooms, we believe strongly in the benefits of growing food at home. Growing food at home in the UK historically hasn’t always been easy. Although that’s changing due to increased demand for allotments, demand for these spaces remains higher than the current supply. To combat this problem, and to take matters into their own hands, more and more people are getting creative with the space they already have at home.

While there are all sorts of fruits and vegetables you can easily grow, home mushroom growing has risen to the top for many, due to how straightforward and cost-effective it can be, depending on the methods used.

In this blog, we’ll take a look not just at how to grow mushrooms at home, but also at which growing method is best for your needs.

Why Grow Mushrooms at Home in the UK?

Mushrooms are among the most popular produce that can be grown at home in the UK, and this is for several reasons.

When compared to vegetables - their supermarket roommates - mushrooms possess several advantages for beginner growers in the UK, and those with limited space.

While many vegetables will require a decent amount of space, natural light, and favourable weather conditions (which may necessitate a greenhouse), mushrooms can be grown vertically indoors, significantly reducing the need for cultivation space. Not only this, but mushrooms can grow a lot faster than many vegetables. 

While household staples such as tomatoes and potatoes can require 60-90 days and 90-120 days, respectively, to grow, oyster mushrooms can be ready to harvest within a fortnight. This isn’t to say you can’t grow vegetables as well if you like, but if you’re new to growing produce at home, mushrooms take the cake when it comes to being quick and easy to grow, no matter your experience.

We hope that you’re now officially on board with growing mushrooms at home. But did you know there are several ways to do so? Let’s get stuck into the most popular home mushroom-growing methods.

How Mushrooms Grow: A Simple Overview

Mushrooms may be comparable to vegetables in that they often sit alongside one another in supermarkets, and in conversations about home-growing, but there are significant distinctions to be made when we discuss the cultivation of mushrooms. 

For successful mushroom growth, a few things need to be in place, but the primary components are the mycelium and the substrate. 

The mycelium is the vegetative part of the fungus that acts like a root network, while the mushroom itself can be thought of as the fruiting body, in the same way that an apple or pear is the fruiting body of its respective tree. Furthermore, mushrooms have their own form of seeds: spores. Carried upon the wind, the spores will aim to colonise a substrate. As we’ll discuss, substrates can be made of many things, but in nature, they are often soil or the trunk of a tree. The substrate acts as a home for the mycelium, from which it can draw sustenance via its inherent nutrients. 

In a more intensive, controlled environment, such as in a mushroom farm, the techniques are less random. Liquid mycelium is used to inoculate small grains or seeds to create what is known as ‘spawn’. The spawn can then be mixed with a substrate best suited to the particular mushroom being grown. 

From there, mushrooms can be easily grown indoors, provided they are exposed to fresh air, regular moisture, and a cool, mild environment comparable to a typical shed or home.

Growing Mushrooms on Logs (For experienced growers)

Starting with perhaps the most romantic visual representation of mushroom growing and harvesting, log-grown mushrooms offer an experience not unlike foraging. While low effort in terms of the work that goes into cultivation, growing, and harvesting, this entry requires patience and timing more than any other on this list.

In terms of mechanics, log-grown mushroom farming is relatively simple, but requires some outdoor space (such as a garden or allotment) and a hardwood log (such as oak, maple or birch). The process begins by drilling holes in your log of choice before inoculating it with mushroom spawn. The holes are then sealed, with the log serving as the substrate from which the mushrooms' fruiting bodies will draw nutrients.

After that, it’s just a case of waiting, and we mean waiting. While other methods provide mushrooms within weeks, log-grown mushrooms can take 12-24 months to fruit, making it a real ‘set and forget’ approach. While the simplicity of this method may appeal to some, it's not a good option for those without outdoor space and first-time growers may prefer something a little more immediate.

Growing Mushrooms with Kits (Beginner-Friendly Method)

On the other end of the spectrum from log-grown mushrooms, DIY kits are the most beginner-friendly option, offering a more plug-and-play experience. Quick to grow and easy to use, they make it straightforward to grow mushrooms at home with no prior knowledge or experience.

In terms of content, DIY mushroom kits typically come with pre-inoculated substrate, such as woodchips or straw, supplemented with soy, bran, or coffee grounds. They grow quickly and provide a strong visual reference for their progress. This makes them perfect for first-time growers who want to learn more about the growing process, and for families looking to educate children about growing produce at home.

Compared to inoculated logs, kits require a little more upkeep, but if you’ve ever looked after a plant, it’s not that different; all that’s needed is misting with fresh water 3 times a day. While this may seem intensive, harvesting comes around quickly enough, with the likes of oyster mushrooms usually requiring just a fortnight to reach harvest-readiness, and lion’s mane varieties about 21 days. Why not involve the whole family in looking after its maintenance?

Although no match for log-grown mushrooms in terms of producing mushrooms year after year, well-maintained grow kits should yield a smaller second harvest. Due to their cuboid shape, they’re easily stored and stacked, should you wish to grow multiple kits at once.

Growing Mushrooms in Buckets or DIY Containers (For intermediate growers)

A step up in both commitment from both grow kits and logs, buckets are great for those looking to up their game and achieve a much higher yield in a relatively short time, and in a more cost-effective fashion. 

Bucket-grown mushrooms involve layering hydrated substrate and spawn in a bucket with holes drilled into the side and covered with breathable sterile tape. Whilst the mycelium colonises the substrate, the bucket is covered with its lid and kept in a warm dark place for two weeks.

Once the substrate is fully colonised, the bucket can be transferred to a cool place with plenty of light and the tape removed from the drilled holes. The drop in temperature, exposure to fresh air and light should trigger the mycelium to produce pins (aka baby mushrooms) through the drilled holes. Outside of hot weather, buckets can usually reliably be left outside, where the natural humidity from rain should be enough to produce mushrooms. For areas that are very dry, keeping them in a cool and sheltered place while regularly misting with water will provide the humidity needed. Bucket-grown mushrooms will keep flushing until the substrate is depleted, with three to four flushes being common.

While this approach does require more effort and can be trickier to master than using a kit or log, you’ll find that you’re left with more mushrooms for your money than a kit while maintaining a similar amount of visual appeal for learners and kids, and in less time than you would with a log-growing approach. 

No matter your experience in growing mushrooms at home, we hope this has given you the information you need to pick the path that suits your needs. We are always happy to answer questions & offer advice to budding mushroom enthusiasts, so if you're on your mushroom-growing journey and having difficulties, please get in touch with us!

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