The Mushroom Miniseries: How to Grow Functional Mushrooms in Your Garden

What if you could grow functional mushrooms next to your tomato plants? In this episode 2 of the Mushroom Miniseries, Billy and I continue our exploration of the world of mushrooms in partnership with North Spore and their expert mycologist, Louis Giller. Today's episode focuses on growing mushrooms in your garden and covers topics such as integrating mushrooms into a traditional garden and the benefits of cultivating mushrooms alongside your plant babies! Enjoy an exclusive 10% off your mushrooms, use code 'GROWINGJOY' at northspore.com ! In this episode, we learn: [05:35] Benefits of Lion's Mane mushroom supplements for improved focus and energy [09:15] Why should you grow mushrooms in your garden? [10:45] Specific vocabulary in mushroom cultivation [12:43] Is mushroom DNA diverse or uniform across different areas? [15:30] Why you can't simply grow any mushrooms in soil alone [17:15] Are mushrooms annuals or perennials? [20:14] Where can you find full spectrum plant lights to bring the beauty of outdoors inside this April? [22:16] Where can you find a healthy meal delivery program? [24:52] What protections exist for preventing other mushroom species from colonizing a bed of ripe food and confusing the farmer? [26:29] Can you harvest mushrooms immediately after inoculating your garden beds? [27:35] What mushrooms are best for beginners to grow in the garden? [29:30] Do you need a lot of space to grow a good harvest? [30:29] Do worms compete or work with mycorrhizal? [32:25] What materials do you need for growing mushrooms in your garden? [34:44] Where can you find a wind chime that would make the perfect gift these holidays? [36:21] How can you grow mushrooms in your mulch? [41:04] Does a denser, ground-level plant provide better shade for the mushrooms?? [44:00] Is there a general rule for spacing the insertion points when inoculating a bale of hay? [44:49] How do mycorrhizal networks and mold coexist in nature, particularly in damp and dark environments? [48:09] How to create a mushroom container for small gardening spaces [52:49] What are the required maintenance tasks for growing mushrooms during the season? [57:03] What is the difference between cutting and pulling mushrooms during harvesting? [58:23] Best beginner mushroom varieties that are resilient to temperature and humidity changes [59:40] Different mushrooms that you can grow in different garden zones or different climates [01:00:56] What is the process of inoculating logs for growing mushrooms? [01:03:48] What's the purpose of wax capping your mushrooms? [01:05:29] Can mushroom inoculation be done before or after the frost date? [01:10:12] Where can you find mushroom spawns and learn more about mushroom growing? Mentioned in our conversation: North Spore 'Spray & Grow' Mushroom Growing Kits Pink Oyster ‘Spray & Grow’ Mushroom Growing Kit YouTube video North Spore Test garden in Portland, Maine Lion’s Mane tincture How to Grow Mushrooms in Buckets & Containers Which Species of Log is Best? How to Make Outdoor Mushroom Beds How to Grow Mushrooms on Logs, Totems & Stumps Mushroom Spores vs. Spawn: What is the Difference? YouTube video How to Grow Mushrooms on Logs | Complete Inoculation Walkthrough! For a complete checklist of mushroom gardening necessities, check out the full show notes and blog here! Thank you to our episode sponsors: Soltech Solutions Soltech Solutions makes the grow lights you’ve heard me talk about for years: whether you are looking for a pendant light, track lighting, or a simple bulb to screw into any standard light fixture, Soltech has got you covered. They offer quality products with great customer service, free shipping, and a 5-year warranty. Keep the sun shining and the plants green inside your home with Soltech Solutions. Check them out at soltechsolutions.com and get 15% off with code "bloom15". Sakara Make eating healthier easier with science-backed, plant-rich nutrition programs and wellness essentials right to your door! Sakara provides ready-to-eat meals that are nutritionally designed to deliver results — from weight management and eased bloat, to boosted energy and clearer skin. Enjoy delicious meals that have a perfect balance of plants,protein and fats, while also taking control of your physical health. Get 20% off your first order when you use code "GROWINGJOY" at sakara.com . Wind River Chimes Bring more peace, serenity, and magic into your home with chimes. Wind River is a Virginia-based company creating premium handcrafted and hand-tuned wind chimes for over 35 years. If you are looking for a new way to grow joy in your life and find a moment of peace, a Wind River chime is the perfect addition for your home or garden. Plus, it's a perfect personalized gift for your loved ones! Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on all Corinthian Bells wind chimes. Follow North Spore: Louis' LinkedIn Website Instagram YouTube Facebook TikTok Pinterest Follow Maria and Growing Joy: Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here ! Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle) Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon ! 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