General mushroom care

Maintain cleanliness while handling the kit.

Avoid over misting. Mushrooms need humidity but not over abundant moisture.

If you find mushrooms growing on the top of your kit, simply cut a slit to remove them. Then release the oxygen, secure with a rubber band, and when cutting an "X" in the center of the block, direct all attention toward that "X" to optimize growth.

Thin stems and caps are usually due to a lack of humidity and fresh air exchange.

Once your block is no longer producing fruits, you may remove it from the bag and use it as compost in your garden.

Stay positive. Patience is key!

when are my mushrooms ready to harvest?

Oyster Mushrooms - If the edges of the caps are still slightly curled under, it's time to harvest them. Once the caps are open and flat, they're fully mature. For a longer shelf life, harvest them before the caps lay flat.

Lion’s Mane Mushrooms - Harvest your lion's mane mushrooms when they are about the size of your fist.

how to harvest your mushrooms

Use the "twist and pull" method: Start by pulling the mushroom from the base, then give it a twist.

Recognizing the ideal harvest time can be challenging at first, but practice makes perfect. You'll know you've waited too long if the mushrooms stop growing, dry out, or release lots of spores. While you can still eat over-mature mushrooms, their shelf life and texture may suffer.

For multiple harvests, rotate the block and mark an "x" on the other side for the second flush. If the block starts to yellow where the "x" was, it means it's drying out and needs more moisture.

storage tips

If you're not eating them right away, store your mushrooms in a brown paper bag in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You may also place your mushrooms in a dehydrator until bone dry and then store in a seal tight jar; this method preserves the mushrooms for about 6 months–1 year. 

When storing in a refrigerator, avoid plastic bags as they retain moisture, which can lead to mold if left for too long.

mold alert

If you see any signs of green, red, or pink, toss the mushrooms immediately.