Growing Mushrooms in a Laundry Basket – A Simple and Fun Technique

Growing your own mushrooms at home is easier than you might think. One of the simplest methods is to use a common household item – a plastic laundry basket – as a vessel for mushroom cultivation. This technique works great for beginners and kids, producing impressive crops of tasty mushrooms with minimal effort.

Overview of the Laundry Basket Method

The basics of this method involve filling a laundry basket with moistened straw or other substrate material Mushroom spawn is mixed in, which colonizes the substrate. Once fully colonized, light and airflow triggers the mycelium to start forming mushrooms The steps are

• Pasteurize substrate material like straw to kill any mold or bacteria
• Load pasteurized substrate into a laundry basket and mix in spawn
• Allow spawn to fully colonize the substrate, forming white mycelium
• Expose basket to light and airflow to initiate fruiting
• Harvest mushrooms as they mature

Oyster mushrooms are an ideal choice for the laundry basket technique. They grow rapidly on straw, producing multiple harvests. However, other varieties can work as well.

Selecting a Laundry Basket

Look for a plastic laundry basket about 15″ x 10″ x 10″ in size, Small holes or slots along the sides provide the airflow mushrooms need, Dark colored baskets are ideal to block light while colonizing You can often find these basic laundry baskets for just a few dollars at discount stores,

Pasteurizing the Substrate

Before introducing mushroom spawn, the substrate like straw needs to be pasteurized. This kills any mold, bacteria or pests that could hinder mushroom growth.

• Fill a large pot with water and heat to 180°F.
• Place chopped straw or other substrate in a tub or cooler.
• Lightly mix in some hydrated lime and gypsum.
• Pour the 180°F water over the substrate and let soak 1-2 hours.
• Drain out the water and spread the straw on a screen to cool before loading into the basket.

Loading the Mushroom Spawn

Once the substrate is pasteurized and cooled it’s time to load the laundry basket.

• Working in layers, add the cooled substrate to the basket. Lightly compress each 2 inch layer.
• Sprinkle mushroom spawn evenly over each layer, keeping it 2 inches from the basket edges.
• Lightly compress again and repeat layers until the basket is full.
• Cover the loaded basket with a trash bag to retain humidity.

Allowing the Mycelium to Colonize

• Place the covered basket in a warm (75°F), dark area.
• After 1-2 weeks, check for signs of mycelium growth like white fuzz.
• Wait another week or until the substrate is fully colonized.

Initiating Fruiting Conditions

• Remove the trash bag and place basket in a cooler, well-lit area with some airflow.
• Mist the mycelium daily to provide moisture.
• Within about a week, small mushroom pins will begin forming.
• Once mushrooms reach 2-4 inches, gently twist to harvest.
• Provide ample airflow, misting and light to encourage additional flushes.

Tips for the Best Results

• Select a mushroom variety suited for your climate. Oyster mushrooms are a great choice for beginners.
• Use fresh, high quality spawn from a reputable supplier.
• Completely pasteurize the substrate to prevent mold contamination.
• Maintain consistent moisture and provide airflow during fruiting.
• Harvest mushrooms when young before caps flatten for optimal flavor.
• Expect 1-3 harvest flushes from each laundry basket.

Advantages of the Laundry Basket Method

There are many benefits to growing mushrooms in a laundry basket:

• Very simple, low cost set up using common household items.
• Generates large yields in a small space.
• The basket weave allows air circulation.
• Lightweight and portable to move.
• Easy to maintain ideal moisture levels.
• Fast production with harvests in just 2 months.

For beginners, the laundry basket technique is a fun, easy way to start cultivating mushrooms at home. It’s also a great gardening project for kids. Once you gain some experience with an easy variety like oyster mushrooms, you can explore growing more exotic gourmet mushrooms using other methods.

Using Your Homegrown Mushrooms

The fresh mushrooms harvested from your laundry basket have a mild, sweet flavor. They can be used just like store-bought mushrooms in your cooking. To get the nutritional benefits, it’s best to cook mushrooms before eating.

Some easy ways to use your homegrown oyster mushrooms include:

• Sautéed in butter or olive oil
• Added to omelets, pizza, pasta, or stir fries
• Baked into casseroles or egg dishes
• Used in soups, stews, and broths
• Grilled as veggie skewers or burgers

With some basic supplies, a plastic laundry basket, and mushroom spawn, you can easily grow pounds of tasty mushrooms at home. Once you discover how fun and rewarding it is to cultivate your own fresh mushrooms, you’ll be hooked! The laundry basket method is the perfect way to get started on this satisfying hobby.

While mushrooms themselves aren’t directly harmful to your plants, their presence often indicates an environment that could be problematic for your houseplants.