Mushroom Growing Medium Preparation

Growing mushrooms may seem like a mysterious procedure, but it all starts with the growing medium and the spawn. The spawn is injected into the growing medium. The decomposed growing medium serves as food and a substrate for the spawn to grow in. Without proper preparation, the growing medium will not have decomposed enough, making it hard for the mushroom spawn to break down the material. The best type of material to use is straw or hay, slightly broken down.

Things You'll Need

• Straw
• Burlap sack
• Thermometer
• Pitchfork

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Spread a layer of straw on the ground.

   • 2

     Wet the straw and cover it with a burlap sack.

   • 3

     Stick a thermometer through the sack and into the straw.

   • 4

     Remove the burlap sack once the temperature has risen to 160 to 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a pitchfork to turn the pile. Moisten the pile again, and cover it with the burlap. Use the pitchfork to turn the pile once a week.

   • 5

     Once the material has composted into a rich, brown color with no odor, usually after four to five turns, place the straw compost into seed trays to grow mushrooms.