Mushrooms:10 Reasons to Grow

Toadstools, morels, truffles – whatever you call them mushrooms are the delicious oddities that grace gardens and plates the world over. Once you see how easy and rewarding it is to grow your own crop, you might just become a fungal fanatic too!

yellow oyster mushrooms

So why should you grow mushrooms? Well because…

1. They tend themselves: Mushrooms are quite possibly the easiest thing you will ever grow. How often are you able to drop a seed in the ground and then completely ignore it until you want to harvest it? Chances are not that often because, aside from a few super resilient plants, most of your garden needs at least a little TLC to ensure a healthy crop. Not mushrooms. Growing these darlings takes two things: A growing medium and patience, and as long as you have the first and you won’t need much of the second.
2.  They’re good for you –  Mushrooms are a health food in every way but taste. Loaded with nutrients such as riboflavin, potassium, Vitamin D, B vitamins and antioxidants it’s hard to go wrong with a helping of these on your plate. Don’t let their sinfully rich, meaty flavor fool you – these scrumptious morsels are low in calories, sodium, fat and cholesterol, so you can pig out without regret!
3. They don’t need much space – Low on space? No worries – mushrooms don’t mind cramped quarters one bit! These humble fungi keep a low profile and like to grow in places we forget about, like old stumps and inside compost bins.
4. They’re versatile – There’s a plethora of ways to enjoy them as they can enhance the flavor in all kinds of dishes. You can grill, broil, sauté, deep fry them, or simply eat them raw. In short, there’s no wrong way to eat a mushroom.
5. They are 100% organic – In this modernized world it’s harder than ever to live organic and avoid chemicals in your food. That’s why it is such a blessing to know that our mushrooms don’t need any manufactured goop to grow big, plentiful and delicious.
6. They save you money – Any time you grow your own food you’re sparing your wallet at the grocery store and since these mushroom regrow themselves you’re saving money hand over fist!
7. They’re educational – Ordinarily eating science experiments isn’t wise, but with mushrooms it’s encouraged! Growing mushrooms at home means that family members young and old can witness the miraculous life cycle of the mushroom in real time.
8. They produce all year – a rare but valuable talent whose benefits speak for themselves.
9. They make top soil – Mushrooms such as the Wood Blewit variety do an amazing thing: they naturally turn organic trash into nutrient rich treasure that nourishes and strengthens your garden. Kick start your compost pile while growing a flavorful crop of mushrooms. Now that’s what we call multi-tasking!
10. They save the planet – Make meatless Mondays more manageable with mushrooms! That was a mouthful, but it’s very true that mushrooms have the taste and texture of meat which can help your more reluctant honorary vegetarians embrace this weekly mission. Going meatless for even a day helps minimize your carbon footprint thus making the world a cleaner, greener place.