How to Grow Mushrooms in a Laundry Basket – A Simple Technique

Growing mushrooms at home is easier than you think. One simple and low-cost technique is to use a laundry basket as an easy vessel for cultivating oyster mushrooms. Here is a step-by-step guide to growing mushrooms in a laundry basket.

Overview of the Technique

This method involves filling a plastic laundry basket with moistened, pasteurized straw. Mushroom spawn is added and the mycelium colonizes the straw. Once fully colonized, the laundry basket is exposed to light and airflow to trigger fruiting. The steps are:

• Pasteurize straw
• Load straw into a laundry basket
• Add spawn and allow mycelium to colonize
• Expose basket to light and airflow for fruiting

Oyster mushrooms are one of the best types for beginners to grow with this laundry basket technique They are widely available, undemanding, and produce impressive yields.

Step 1: Gather Materials

You’ll need:

• Oyster mushroom spawn – purchase online or from a garden store
• Laundry basket – plastic, approximately 15″ x 10″
• Straw – chopped wheat or rice straw works well
• Large pot for pasteurizing
• Agricultural lime and gypsum
• Trash bag
• Spray bottle

Step 2: Pasteurize the Straw

Pasteurization kills any mold, bacteria, or pests in the straw.

• Fill a large pot with water and heat to 180°F.
• Place chopped straw in an old cooler or tub.
• Dust straw lightly with lime and gypsum (about 1⁄4 cup lime and 1⁄8 cup gypsum per 5 lbs straw).
• Once water reaches 180°F, pour it over the straw.
• Cover and let soak 1.5 hours.
• Drain out the water, then spread straw on a screen to cool before loading into the basket.

Step 3. Load the Laundry Basket

• Working in layers, add cooled pasteurized straw to the basket, compressing each 2″ layer before adding more.
• Cover each layer with a thin layer of mushroom spawn, keeping it 2″ from the basket edges.
• Lightly compress the straw again as you build layers. Fill the basket.
• Cover the loaded basket with a trash bag.

Step 4. Allow Mycelium to Colonize

• Place the covered basket in a warm (75°F), dark area with high humidity.
• After 1 week, check for signs of mycelium growth. White fuzz will be visible.
• Wait another week to ensure full colonization.

Step 5. Initiate Fruiting

• Remove the trash bag and place basket in a cooler, well-lit area with airflow.
• Mist the mycelium daily to provide moisture.
• Within a week, small mushroom pins will form.
• Once the mushrooms reach 2-4 inches, pick them by twisting gently.
• Provide ample airflow, misting and light to trigger additional flushes.

Tips for the Best Results

• Select an oyster mushroom variety suited for your climate.
• Use fresh, high-quality spawn from a reputable source.
• Pastuerize the straw fully to prevent mold contamination.
• Maintain consistent moisture and airflow during fruiting.
• Pick mushrooms young before caps flatten for best flavor.
• Expect 1-3 harvest flushes from each laundry basket.

Advantages of the Laundry Basket Method

Growing oyster mushrooms in a laundry basket has many advantages:

• Very simple and low-cost set up using common household items
• Allows for large yields in a compact space
• Loose weave of the basket provides ample airflow
• Lightweight and portable
• Can be used indoors or outdoors
• Easy to maintain moisture and humidity levels
• Produces quick results in just 7-8 weeks

For beginning mushroom growers this laundry basket technique is an ideal way to get started. Once you gain experience with oyster mushrooms, you can expand to growing other gourmet mushroom varieties using different methods. Growing mushrooms is an enjoyable and rewarding hobby.

Using the Harvested Mushrooms

Fresh mushrooms from your laundry basket can be used just like store-bought mushrooms. They have a mild, sweet flavor. To get the most nutritional value, it’s best to cook mushrooms before eating. Oyster mushrooms work well sautéed, grilled, baked into casseroles, or added to soups and stir fries.

With a little initial investment and some simple equipment, you’ll be harvesting basket-loads of mushrooms from your laundry in just a couple months!