I’ve always felt that there’s a certain enigma to mushrooms. Historically, psychoactive mushrooms have been used ritually by various cultures and they’ve earned a unique symbology because of that. Equally, other non-hallucinogenic mushrooms are revered for their powerful medicinal qualities, especially in Chinese medicine. And add to this their inherent danger – some are deadly, often near-identical in appearance to other edible varieties – and you have (I think, at least) a rather mysterious mix.
They also happen to be tasty too, which is good news for us. There’s likely a whole array of mushrooms that you’re missing out on, ones that just aren’t available at supermarkets: wine caps, oysters, shitakes, morels…you could be sampling all of them. I don’t hold any particularly bad feelings for the white-cap supermarket-bought mushrooms…but a little more variety can never be a bad thing.
Even if you eventually want to start creating your own set up – coupling good home-made growing media with spawn – kits can be a good place to start. With many of them, such as the first one on our list of top picks, all you need to do is open the box, add a little moisture, and sit back and wait for the magic (mind the pun) to happen.
In terms of growing indoors, all of these kits will prefer that type of environment. You can (ideally) control temperature and moisture levels and they’ll also be out of the way of pests, strong sunlight, and heavy wind. You could theoretically put the boxes outside but I wouldn’t recommend it.
Hey mushroom lovers! I’ve been experimenting with growing my own white button mushrooms lately, and let me tell you – it’s way easier than you might think! Here’s my complete guide to using white button mushroom growing kits to create your own little fungi farm at home.
Why Grow Your Own White Button Mushrooms?
Before we dive in, here’s why you should consider growing your own:
- Superior Taste: Fresh homegrown mushrooms have an amazing umami flavor that store-bought ones just can’t match
- Cost-Effective: While the initial kit investment is around $35-40, you can harvest multiple pounds of mushrooms over 2-3 months
- Fun Project: Perfect for the whole family – kids love watching them double in size every 24 hours!
- Year-Round Growing: Can be grown indoors during cooler months (typically September through May)
What’s in a White Button Mushroom Growing Kit?
Most commercial kits come with everything you need to get started:
- Pre-colonized substrate block (usually 9-13 pounds)
- Growing container/box
- Casing layer material
- Detailed instructions
- Basic harvesting tools
- Certified organic materials (from reputable suppliers)
Setting Up Your Growing Space
Finding the right spot is crucial for success. Here’s what your mushrooms need:
Temperature
- Optimal range: 60-70°F (65°F is perfect)
- Avoid extreme heat or cold
- Keep away from heating vents and direct sunlight
Location Requirements
- Cool, dark area like a basement or garage
- High humidity (80-90%)
- Good air circulation
- About 1 square foot of space (typical kit is 11″ x 9″ x 8″)
Step-by-Step Growing Guide
-
Initial Setup
- Unpack kit immediately upon arrival
- Check for damage or dryness
- Place in your chosen growing location
-
Moisture Management
- Mist substrate lightly if needed
- Don’t oversaturate
- Use distilled or bottled water to prevent contamination
-
Casing Layer
- Mix and apply according to instructions
- Maintain 1-2 inch even coverage
- Keep surface consistently moist
-
Growing Phase
- Watch for white pins after 1-2 weeks
- Remove container lid when pins appear
- Increase air circulation
- Maintain humidity with light misting
-
Harvesting
- Pick when caps reach full size
- Twist gently or cut at base
- Harvest before caps fully open
- Expect new flushes every 7-10 days
Pro Tips for Better Yields
After trying several kits myself, here are some tricks I’ve learned:
- Rotate the block occasionally for even moisture distribution
- Remove old mushrooms promptly to prevent rot
- Between flushes, scrape off old casing and apply fresh layer
- Consider adding grow lights (12-16 hours daily)
- Start multiple kits a few weeks apart for continuous harvests
Common Problems and Solutions
| Problem | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| No growth | Temperature too high/low | Relocate to 60-70°F area |
| Small mushrooms | Insufficient humidity | Increase misting frequency |
| Mold growth | Over-watering | Reduce water, improve air flow |
| Weak stems | Insufficient light | Add supplemental lighting |
Expected Yields and Timeline
With proper care, you can expect:
- First harvest: 2-3 weeks after setup
- Multiple flushes: Every 7-10 days
- Total yield: 3-6 pounds over 2-3 months
- Growing season: Best results September-May
Storage and Usage
Once you’ve harvested your mushrooms:
- Store in paper bag in fridge (up to 2 weeks)
- Clean gently with soft brush
- Use in favorite recipes while fresh
- Consider dehydrating extras
We love using our homegrown buttons in everything from omelets to stir-fries. The flavor is seriously amazing compared to store-bought!
Is a Growing Kit Worth It?
For around $35-40, you’re getting:
- 2-3 months of fresh mushrooms
- Educational family activity
- Superior taste and texture
- Organic certification
- Fun growing experience
Just remember – these kits aren’t meant to be cheaper than store-bought mushrooms. They’re about the experience and quality!
Final Tips for Success
- Start kit immediately upon arrival
- Follow temperature guidelines carefully
- Don’t overwater
- Be patient during initial growth phase
- Keep growing area clean
- Monitor daily for best results
Give it a try! Growing your own white button mushrooms is rewarding and way easier than most people think. Got questions? Drop ’em in the comments below – I’d love to help other mushroom growing enthusiasts get started!
Note: Most suppliers don’t ship kits during hot summer months (May-September) to ensure successful growing conditions.
Button Mushroom Kit (United States)
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You might wonder as to the value of growing button mushrooms – surely if you’re going to the effort it’s worth cultivating something a little more interesting, not to mention less readily available. Well, there are a few reasons why you might want to consider them. For one, they’re very easy to grow. With this kit you’ll get a new harvest every two weeks until the compost becomes depleted of nutrients (you’ll be good for about 3 months). The second point is that they’re very easy to store. Pop your harvest in a brown paper bag, stick them in the fridge and they’ll be good for at least a week or two.
The company that supplies these boxes, WindowBox, sell a variety of products for urban gardeners and their customer service is second to none. You’ll have to apply the typical advice – shade or darkness, temperature range within 50°F – 80°F, and regular misting. All in all, though, a good product. The one downside is the price – at $40 you do wonder if it’s worth it for button mushrooms. My recommendation would be to use this as a starter kit and consider DIYing it if you enjoy the process.
Best Mushroom Kits: Our Picks for 2017
A quick note about reviews of mushroom kits on other sites: whenever I see reviews online I do sometimes feel a bit sorry for the companies that make them. Because there are so many variables with mushroom growing it’s just as easy to end up with no mushrooms as it is to get a lovely flush ready for cropping. If, on Amazon or elsewhere, you find that over half of the reviews report good results then I think the product itself is a good one and most certainly worth a try.
reviewWhite Button Mushroom Growing Kit The Easiest Way to Grow Fresh Shrooms!
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