YUM! Grow Mushrooms In Coffee Grounds
4 Materials
Medium
Do you know that it is super easy and fun to grow yummy mushrooms at home, in used coffee grounds and cardboard, indoors and outdoors in all seasons! Today I am excited to share with you our fun journey, with more tips and resources at the end!
This simple method requires no complicated sterilization. Below is a video of how fast they grew in just 4 days!
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Why coffee grounds and cardboard? Because they are a match made in mushroom heaven! Coffee grounds are rich in nutrients, but can contaminate easily. Corrugated cardboard - most are untreated in the USA- is not as rich and delicious to competing molds and bacteria, and the corrugation allows room for air and for the mycelium (mushroom roots) to run.
To start, ask for a bag of hot-off-the-press coffee grounds from the lovely people at Starbucks, and soak some cardboard in water 1-2 days prior. The coffee grounds should be used on the same day!
Take a one-gallon plastic container, cut 3 sides of the lid. Poke and cut 4 to 6 small 1/4 size holes to allow air exchange and drainage on the bottom. Wipe the inside and outside of the container with rubbing alcohol.
You also need some quality mushroom spawn( seeds, kind of, which can be found easily online) to start the first batch of mushrooms. You can keep the life cycle going and learn to grow your own mushroom spawn using this same method with mushroom stem bases from your harvest in future.
Layer the materials like how you would make a lasagna, keep the humidity level high, and watch the magic happen!
Mushroom roots started growing in just a few days! Keep the container in the dark for now!
After 2-3 weeks, you will see Dr. Seuss mini forest popping out! Move it into bright shade, and you will have yummy mushrooms in just 3-4 days! We already got several harvests =)
Ready to jump in? Come check out loads of helpful tips, more details and resources at the link below!
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
Comments
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2 of 21 comments
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You can purchase clean unused cardboard from the post office or shipping store.
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Growing mushrooms in coffee grounds sounds like a game-changer! As a fellow gardening enthusiast, your method without complicated sterilization got me hooked. I can't wait to try it and watch those mushrooms work their magic, though I usually just order mushroom powder to season my food. Thanks for sharing the green goodness!
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
Instructions are not clear, layers with cardboard coffee and seeds pkk ok anted on top? Photos are not visible enough!
Can anything else be grown like this? Not a fan of mushrooms but love this idea
Is this safe?