GARDEN-FRIENDLY Mushrooms
Hobby Farms|May - June 2023
Produce more of what you eat, make the most of your garden space and try something new by raising mushrooms.
LEAH SMITH
GARDEN-FRIENDLY Mushrooms

Mushrooms' requirements are relatively simple. They need the proper temperatures to carry out various stages of growth, which is achieved simply by planting them at the right time. Mushroom inoculation (planting) can be done from March to October (whenever there aren't regularly freezing temperatures); however, as they can struggle to thrive during the heat and dry of summer, they are best done in the spring or early autumn. Late autumn will not allow for proper establishment before winter dormancy.

Mushrooms need consistent moisture; this is imperative. If you can't maintain adequate moisture levels, any other work will simply have been wasted. Conveniently, mushrooms are shade tolerant. Though they don't require it (in fact, most mushrooms do like some environmental light), this tolerance means they can occupy spaces where solar-powered plant life will not grow, and shade will help to maintain the moisture and high-humidity levels they want. However, their mycelium (the initial and underground growth of the mushroom) can't be constantly wet, so they require adequate drainage.

The substrate, or growing media, each mushroom species prefers is an important distinction amongst them and perhaps how their production differs most from garden plants and one another. They may require straw, compost or wood chips (properly aged and not from an aromatic softwood) to provide the nutrients they want.

Areas are prepared for inoculation by digging a bed and laying down the proper substrate, which is presoaked for a head start on maintaining adequate moisture levels. The inoculant or spawn is then spread. Or, alternatively, thinner layers of substrate-inoculant-substrate-inoculant are used.

Denne historien er fra May - June 2023-utgaven av Hobby Farms.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra May - June 2023-utgaven av Hobby Farms.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA HOBBY FARMSSe alt
The RISE of Opportunist WEEDS
Hobby Farms

The RISE of Opportunist WEEDS

Be prepared to see increasing changes in weeds we fight, such as poison hemlock and poison ivy, and in the crops we grow.

time-read
3 mins  |
January - February 2025
LIVESTOCK Health
Hobby Farms

LIVESTOCK Health

Prepare yourself for how to spot symptoms of illness in your farm animals so that you can get them help before it's too late.

time-read
6 mins  |
January - February 2025
CUT FLOWER Farming
Hobby Farms

CUT FLOWER Farming

If you're considering growing flowers for sale, brush up on these five key things to know before diving in.

time-read
3 mins  |
January - February 2025
WINTER Survival
Hobby Farms

WINTER Survival

Keep your land, animals and yourself in good shape this winter with this helpful advice.

time-read
5 mins  |
January - February 2025
COVERAGE CONCERNS
Hobby Farms

COVERAGE CONCERNS

Avoid common insurance mistakes for rural and hobby farm businesses.

time-read
7 mins  |
January - February 2025
FARMER'S GUIDE Berries
Hobby Farms

FARMER'S GUIDE Berries

Set the stage for tasty strawberries, blueberries and brambles with these soil-boosting garden tips.

time-read
6 mins  |
January - February 2025
Preconditioning CALVES
Hobby Farms

Preconditioning CALVES

Follow our step-by-step guide to get more money for your calves.

time-read
7 mins  |
January - February 2025
Soil Conservation
Hobby Farms

Soil Conservation

Often, outside of having a specific problem that needs to be addressed, soil conservation isn't something every farmer readily thinks about. Yet conserving the soil should be at or near the top of every farmer owner or manager's list of concerns because absent the prevention of soil erosion, we have the opportunity for another dust bowl.

time-read
4 mins  |
January - February 2025
Year-Round Lettuce & Salad Mixes
Hobby Farms

Year-Round Lettuce & Salad Mixes

It's easy to think of salad greens as just a spring- or fall-garden crop, but it's possible to enjoy freshly harvested lettuces, mustards and more from your own garden year-round.

time-read
6 mins  |
January - February 2025
Barn Improvements
Hobby Farms

Barn Improvements

Days are never long enough for a farmer. From dawn to well into the night, tasks arise that often require immediate action. Having to search for tools or equipment is an enormous time waster and incredibly frustrating when you can't find what you need, especially when you know you have it.

time-read
3 mins  |
January - February 2025