Step one is to drill some holes in your bucket.
That is to provide someplace for the fungi to fruit from. The holes don’t should be massive; 6 millimetres (1⁄4 inch) is okay, although barely greater can be not an issue. If they’re too massive the woodchip will fall out.
Subsequent soak the woodchip. You’ll be able to both try this in your pre-drilled bucket, by sticking the entire bucket into a bigger container stuffed with sizzling water. Or you’ll be able to put the woodchip into another container to soak and switch. Then add alternate layers of spawn and woodchip into the bucket.
Depart the bucket for 2 to 3 weeks in order that the fungi can colonise the woodchip.
It’s vital to maintain the woodchip moist throughout this era. In case your bucket has a lid you’ll be able to put that on, but it surely may additionally be value overlaying the entire thing with a plastic sheet or bag to cease it drying out.
If they’ve colonised properly, you must begin seeing some ‘pins’ (or child mushrooms) beginning to kind by means of the holes within the aspect of the bucket.
Now transfer them to a shady, sheltered fruiting spot.
This may be outdoors or in a shed or storage. Once more, the essential factor is to not allow them to dry out.
It’s possible you’ll must water them to maintain them producing. Water little and infrequently to maintain the chip moist however not moist.
In the suitable situations you’ll be able to typically get a second and even third flush from the chip, nevertheless you can even use the contaminated woodchip to colonise new buckets, or add as a mulch within the backyard the place you would possibly get extra mushrooms.
Closing the Loop
Although mushrooms feed on the substrate as they develop, the spent materials on the finish of the harvest continues to be of worth. By rising mushrooms on it we have now successfully begun the composting means of the woodchip.
In an in depth out of doors system, the partially digested woodchip will already be in place as mulch or woodpile and might be left in place.
Materials from an indoor system can increase your compost heap and newer woodchip piles. Alternatively sprinkle round current vegetation or onto no-dig beds – particularly good in case you have used manure or espresso grounds within the combine.
Beneficial Reads
Drill, Plug, Wax, Wait: 6 Easy Steps to Rising Mushrooms Open air