Growing button mushrooms

[Squashmad]

We bought a packet of mushroom spores(?) in Poundstretcher at the weekend - and want to start them off in the shed - however the instructions are a bit vague - has anyone grown them before - do I need a tray of compost and straw?? Any advice gratefully recieved.  ;)

[Squashmad]

[dingerbell]

I've tried these "kits" in the past without much success, the process of preparing the stable straw is sooo time consuming. 3 weeks ago I bought some organic "spent" mushroom compost to spread on the lottie....you guessed...I've got a superb crop of Chestnut Mushrooms coming up all over the Lottie without any effort on my behalf. I also put some spent compost into a polystyrene fish box, damped it down a bit and spread the spores over that....yep....I've got mushrooms there as well. Lesson....if you can get hold of spent compost buy it (about 50p for a big bag) other wise I wouldn't bother....life's too short.....Dinger ;D

[cleo]

I`m totally with `Dinger` on this one. Mushroom `kits` are not that good value-by all means try as a fun thing though. You can buy mushroom spawn but it`s not easy to get the conditions just right and all that faff with casing. Untreated spent compost is a much better move,you get the humous content and more often than not a couple of mushroom flushes.

[Rosyred]

I started mine off a week ago. Used shop brought manure and put it in a fish box as it had to be 25cms deep but reading last night I should of mixed manure with wet straw. Nothing much is happening at the moment.

[Rosyred]

Dinger - Where do you get your spent mushroom compost from??

[dingerbell]

There is a superb Organic mushroom farm in Pointington (between Sherborne and Yeovil) Drive up and talk to the owners, Mr and Mrs Pointing. Not only do they grow amazing mushrooms but they will offer advice on growing at home. Their spent compost is 50p for a bin bag liner full.....Cheers Dinger