How to Grow Portabella Outdoors

Their meaty texture, size and ability to fit into several different recipes, from pasta to casseroles, make portabella mushrooms a favorite among chefs and home cooks. Portabella, or portabello, mushrooms are also an excellent source of copper, phytochemicals and selenium, a trace mineral with antioxidant properties. Instead of paying money at your local cooperative or grocery store, grow portabella mushrooms in an outdoor garden or shed.

Raised growing box
Compost
Newspaper
Portabella mushroom spores
Work gloves
Small hand rake
Dampened peat moss
Distilled water

Instructions

- 1
  Fill a raised growing box that is at least 3 to 4 feet in length and 8 inches deep with a 5- to 6-inch layer of manure-based compost. Locate the compost at a local farm supply store or use your own compost to save money.
- 2
  Cover the compost with newspaper and allow it to remain for at least 48 hours. During this time the sun’s rays will cook the compost, allowing vital nutrients and minerals to be released through the entire medium.
- 3
  Remove the newspaper and cover the compost with a 1 inch layer of portabella mushroom spores. Use a gloved hand or a small hand rake to evenly distribute the spores over the compost.
- 4
  Allow the spores to remain untouched for at least two weeks. At this time you’ll notice the spores beginning to spread and form a white film over the compost. Once this occurs, cover the spores with a 1-inch layer of dampened peat moss. Spread the peat moss over the compost and cover it with a single layer of newspaper.
- 5
  Spray the newspaper with a light misting of distilled water twice daily for 10 days. Remove the newspaper after the 10 days is over and continue to spray the mushroom bed twice a day.
- 6
  Harvest the mushrooms once they’ve matured to your desired size.

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