Growing Mushrooms at the Allotment

While potatoes, onions, garlic and runner beans are some of the most common veggies to grow on an allotment patch, it’s worth considering the more unique options, like mushrooms. Traditionally foraged in the wild, mushrooms weren’t often grown at home, largely due to concerns around identifying edible varieties. However, with the right setup, growing mushrooms in your very own allotment is not only safe but surprisingly easy.

With their earthy, umami flavour, mushrooms are not only tasty but also packed with nutrients like protein, vitamins and minerals, all without the fat or calories. If you plan to grow mushrooms at home, the best types to go for are oyster, shiitake, lion’s mane, chestnut and white cap mushrooms.

Mushroom growing kits are easily available at most local nurseries so it’s easy to get started. Still want to learn more about how to grow mushrooms at home? Keep reading… 

For useful insights and tips on growing mushrooms in the UK, sign up and reach out to our community of gardening enthusiasts!

How to Grow Mushrooms

Mushrooms aren’t vegetables - they’re a type of fungus, grown from spores known as mushroom spawn. Since they grow on organic material, you can choose from mushroom compost, straw or horse manure, depending on the type, variety of mushrooms and the method of growing.

You can also buy pre-spawned mushroom plugs or dowels. Simply drill holes into freshly cut logs and insert the plugs. Hardwood logs like beech, birch, or oak work best, though alder, hazel, maple, and willow can also be used.

Now that the basics are out of the way, the next question you might ask is when to plant mushrooms? These macrofungi can be grown all year round in the right conditions. That said, the best time to plant mushrooms in the UK is during the warmer months, between April and August.

If using growing boxes, both indoors and outdoors could be feasible for cultivating mushrooms; however, indoors is preferable. Use your shed, garage, greenhouse or cellar, somewhere it doesn’t come in direct contact with sunlight. 

To grow mushrooms indoors, use a deep tray or box filled with compost and horse manure. Mix in the mushroom spawn, then store the tray in a cool, shaded area, away from direct sunlight. Cover the top with damp newspaper, and within a few weeks, white thread-like mycelium will begin to appear.

Depending on the variety, cropping can begin 4–10 months after planting and may continue several times a year for up to five years. Refer to the specific growing instructions when purchasing.

The easiest way to grow your own mushrooms is to use one of the pre-spawned mushroom growing kits, which are available at major seed companies and garden centres. 

While mushrooms grow best indoors, with the right conditions and technique, they can be cultivated outside. Most mushrooms grow best at an even temperature of about 15-16°C.  They do not grow well below 10°C or above 20°C.

Mushroom kits make the process even simpler - just place the kit in a cool, shaded spot, keep it moist with daily misting, and follow the instructions provided.