Mushroom farming can be profitable.
A variety of mushrooms are grown commercially or in backyard mushroom gardens. The four major types are smooth white, off white, cream and brown. It may take up to 15 weeks to grow mushrooms from start to finish.
Compost
Mushrooms need proper compost to grow. You can create your own compost by mixing straw, wheat and horse manure from barns that use straw for bedding. You can also purchase synthetic compost made from hay and crushed corncob.
Supplements
Nitrogen and gypsum should be added as a supplement and for compost conditioning. Nitrogen supplements might include brewers grain, soybeans, peanuts or manure. Gypsum is added at 40 pounds per ton of ingredients, or 2 pounds for every 100 pounds of ingredients. Compost should be turned and watered every other day to keep bacteria alive and actively breaking down the organic materials.
Mushroom Spawn
Mushroom spawn--mushroom is not grown from seed--should be purchased from a reputable mushroom grower. Spawn is cultivated by adding mycelium or the hairs that are the root of mushrooms on sterilized grain. Once the mycelium begins to grow, it is ready to be planted in your compost, usually by hand-mixing the grain into the compost.
Temperature
Compost temperature initially should be maintained at 75 degrees Fahrenheit with a high relative humidity. As the spawn begins to grow, the compost temperature may rise. Monitor temperature so that it does not go above 85 degrees Fahrenheit, as this may kill the spawn. Cold temperatures will likewise slow growth.
Top Casing
A top casing is needed for the spawn to grow into mushrooms. This could be a peat moss and ground limestone or used compost. Its purpose is to hold moisture into the new compost below.
Harvest
Successful mushroom harvest may be continual for up to 60 days if conditions are right and no pests are allowed to infiltrate your farm. According to Penn State University, the average production rate per square foot is 3.12 pounds.
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