How to Grow Mushrooms on Earthworm Castings

Growing mushrooms is not only an interesting recycling project, but also a repurposing project. An old plastic bucket that may find its way to the landfill is a suitable container for growing mushrooms. Vermicompost or earthworm castings utilizes kitchen scraps that are processed by earthworms to create a rich growing medium for button mushrooms. The hardest part of growing button mushrooms is the waiting period between planting and harvesting. This waiting period can be as long as six weeks but the wait can produce a constant supply of mushrooms for three to six months.

1-gallon plastic bucket with lid
Knife
1/2 gallon earthworm castings
Water mister
1 cup of button mushroom spawn
Small bag of peat moss
Newspapers without color ink

Instructions

- 1
  Cut rim off lid of the 1-gallon plastic bucket.
- 2
  Place 1/2 gallon of earthworm castings into the bucket. Mist and mix castings until thoroughly moistened, but not dripping wet.
- 3
  Place 1 cup of button mushroom spawn in earthworm castings and mix. Press soil down into the bucket using the cut lid.
- 4
  Place the gallon bucket in a room that is kept 65 to 70 F degrees for two to three weeks. Mist the container everyday.
- 5
  Check the surface of soil looking for a white webbing covering the soil surface. Once this occurs add a 1 1/2-inch layer of peat moss.
- 6
  Moisten four layers of newspaper and place them on top of peat moss layer. Place the bucket in a room at 55 F degrees for 10 days. Mist twice a day
- 7
  Remove the newspaper after 10 days and watch for small white pinheads germinating. Pick button mushrooms when they reachthe desired size.

What Causes Mushrooms to Grow in a Bathroom?

How to Harvest Your Own Mushroom Spawn

Growing Mushrooms