THIS common ingredient is surprisingly easy to grow, but not without a lot of effort and attention.
Mushrooms are a healthy addition to any diet and can be grown in a variety of places.
How to grow mushrooms at home
Mushrooms are different from other vegetables grown at home because they are not actually vegetables.
As part of the mushroom family, mushrooms grow from spores and have a root-like mycelium.
You can grow them using mushroom grow kits which include pre-grown spores that you can use.
Keep in mind that each mushroom species needs different conditions, so research the species before planting.
Most mushrooms grow well all year round, but can survive the winter due to moisture in the soil.
If you are growing from fresh spores in a tray indoors, here is what you should do.
If you're growing your mushrooms outdoors, make sure it's constantly around 15 degrees to keep the spores at the right temperature.
You can also grow mushrooms from hardwood logs, but it should be healthy wood and not evergreens.
Dowel implants with mushroom spores can be hammered into holes drilled into the wood, and the log can be placed outside in a damp location.
If you have a mushroom kit, check what the kit recommends for that particular mushroom species.
How much rain do mushrooms need to grow?
While other vegetables can be sensitive to excess water, mushrooms like to be moist and they especially like water. 'rainwater.
About two inches of rain is thought to be enough for the mushrooms to grow, so make sure they are watered thoroughly and regularly.
When growing mushrooms at home, it is important not to let them dry out.
Spray the mushrooms regularly or water them regularly, if you are growing them outdoors, make sure the place is not totally sheltered from rainfall.
How long does it take for mushrooms to colonize?
After heavy rains, it will take you about two weeks to start seeing wild mushrooms germinate.
If conditions aren't warm enough, the spores won't germinate, preventing the rain from giving them the water they need.
It is not possible to grow mushrooms in a single day, but if you have a mushroom kit, it will be faster than growing from fresh spores.
From the first planting, you should have mushrooms ready to eat between ten days and four weeks.
Keep an eye on your harvest and cut them when you're ready to eat them as they don't last long in the fridge.
Are the mushrooms growing in your garden poisonous to dogs?
Not all mushrooms are toxic to dogs, just like not all are toxic to humans.
It can be difficult to identify which mushrooms are safe to eat, especially in the wild.
Even though mushrooms growing in your garden can be dangerous, it is best to remove them or keep your dog away from them.
There are several highly poisonous mushrooms that grow in the UK, including:
Signs that your dog has eaten a poisonous mushroom include excessive drooling, vomiting, and may lead to collapse or organ failure.
Unfortunately, mushroom toxins vary so much that there is no antidote to this type of poisoning, but the vet will eliminate the toxin from your dog's body.
