If you are a fan of portobello mushrooms and want to save money on buying them from the grocery store, growing your own portobello mushrooms at home can be a fun and rewarding experience. With patience and care, you can grow delicious and healthy portobello mushrooms in your backyard or indoors. Come learn how to grow baby bella mushrooms.
In this article, we will walk you through the steps of growing baby bella mushrooms, also known as portobello mushrooms, indoors or outdoors.
Growing Portobello Mushrooms Outdoors:
Portobello mushrooms are a type of mushroom that loves to grow in a warm and humid environment. The first step in increasing your portobello mushrooms outdoors is to find a shady spot in your backyard that receives partial sunlight. Once you have found the perfect place, follow the steps below:
- Purchase a Mushroom Growing Kit or Spores:
Many different types of mushroom growing kits are available for purchase online or at your local gardening store. A mushroom growing kit typically includes everything you need, including a growing medium, spores, and instructions. Alternatively, you can purchase portobello mushroom spores to grow your mushrooms.
- Prepare the Growing Medium:
Portobello mushrooms grow best in a manure-based compost mixed with peat moss. You can purchase this growing medium at your local gardening store or make it yourself by mixing 3 parts manure-based compost with 1 part peat moss. Spread the mixture 6 to 8 inches deep layer over the ground in your chosen growing spot.
- Sprinkle the Spores:
Sprinkle the portobello mushroom spores over the growing medium, then cover with a thin layer of peat moss and newspaper. Water the growing medium lightly to moisten it.
- Wait and Water:
Cover the growing medium with a layer of cardboard or burlap to keep it moist and prevent direct sunlight from hitting the spores. Water the growing medium regularly to keep it moist but not soaked. After a few weeks, you will see white mycelium growing on the growing medium's surface.
- Remove the Newspaper and Burlap:
After a few weeks, remove the newspaper and burlap, and add more peat moss to the growing medium. Water the growing medium lightly as needed. Within a few more weeks, you should start to see portobello mushrooms growing. When the caps of the mushrooms reach 4 to 6 inches in diameter, it's time to harvest them.
Growing Portobello Mushrooms Indoors:
If you don't have access to an outdoor space or want to grow portobello mushrooms year-round, you can grow them indoors. Follow these steps to grow portobello mushrooms indoors:
- Purchase a Mushroom Growing Kit:
The easiest way to grow portobello mushrooms indoors is to purchase a mushroom growing kit online or at your local gardening store. A mushroom growing kit typically includes everything you need, including a growing medium, spores, and instructions.
- Prepare the Growing Medium:
If your mushroom growing kit doesn't include a growing medium, you can make one by mixing 3 parts manure-based compost with 1 part peat moss. Spread the mixture in a 6 to 8 inches deep container.
- Sprinkle the Spores:
Sprinkle the portobello mushroom spores over the growing medium, then cover with a thin layer of peat moss and newspaper. Water the growing medium lightly to moisten it.
- Cover and Wait:
Cover the container with plastic or cardboard to keep it moist and prevent direct sunlight from hitting the spores. Keep the container in a warm and humid location, such as a basement or garage. Water the growing medium regularly to keep it moist but not soaked. After a few weeks, you will see white mycelium growing on the growing medium's surface.
- Remove the Plastic and Cardboard:
After a few weeks, remove the plastic and cardboard, and add more peat moss to the growing medium. Water the growing medium lightly as needed. Within a few more weeks, you should start to see portobello mushrooms growing. When the caps of the mushrooms reach 4 to 6 inches in diameter, it's time to harvest them.
Tips for Growing Portobello Mushrooms:
- Maintain Proper Humidity:
Portobello mushrooms need a humid environment to grow, so keeping the growing medium moist is essential. If you're growing your mushrooms indoors, consider using a humidifier or placing a tray of water near the container to increase humidity.
- Keep the Growing Medium at the Right Temperature:
Portobello mushrooms grow best in a 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit temperature range. If you're growing your mushrooms indoors, keep them in a warm room or use a space heater to maintain the proper temperature.
- Harvest Your Mushrooms at the Right Time:
When the caps of your portobello mushrooms reach 4 to 6 inches in diameter, it's time to harvest them. Use a sharp knife to cut the stem at the base of the mushroom cap. Be sure to gather your mushrooms before the lid opens, as they will quickly lose their flavor and texture once they mature.
- Use a Good Quality Growing Medium:
Using a good quality growing medium is essential to the success of your mushroom growing project. Look for a manure-based compost designed explicitly for growing mushrooms, and mix it with peat moss to create the perfect growing medium.
- Be Patient:
Growing mushrooms takes time and patience, so don't expect to see results overnight. It may take several weeks for your mushrooms to grow and even longer mature. Be patient and continue to care for your mushrooms, and you will be rewarded with a bountiful harvest.
Conclusion:
Growing portobello mushrooms at home can be a fun and rewarding experience, whether you choose to grow them indoors or outdoors. You can enjoy delicious and healthy portobello mushrooms from your backyard or kitchen with a suitable growing medium, proper humidity, and a little patience. So give it a try, and you may be surprised at how easy it is to grow your own mushrooms. You can also use the leftover substrate to make some mushroom compost at home too.
