How to Grow Magic Mushrooms Outside: A Step-by-Step Guide

Growing magic mushrooms outdoors can be an extremely rewarding experience. Not only is it less costly than buying shrooms, but it allows you to form a deeper connection with these fascinating fungi. With some preparation and patience, you can cultivate a bountiful outdoor supply of magic mushrooms.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to create your own outdoor mushroom patch, from selecting the right location to preparing mushroom spawn to harvesting potent psilocybin mushrooms.

Outdoor mushroom cultivation has a few key advantages over indoor growing

• It eliminates the risk of contamination since mycelium grown outside is exposed to open air Indoor grows require meticulous sterile procedures to avoid mold,

• You can grow a large batch of mushrooms with minimal effort. Once your outdoor patch is set up, nature does most of the work.

• Spreading spores in nature allows you to establish local populations of magic mushrooms.

The main requirements for outdoor cultivation are:

• Indirect sunlight: Magic mushrooms prefer shaded areas with dappled sunlight. Direct sunlight can dry out the mycelium.

• Moisture: The area needs consistent moisture, either from rainfall or manual watering. Mushrooms thrive in damp conditions.

• Mycelium spawn: This cultivated mycelium is transplanted into your mushroom patch to produce mushrooms.

With the right supplies and conditions, your mushroom patch can produce potent magic mushrooms for years to come!

Step 1: Select the Perfect Location

Choosing the right spot is critical for maximizing your mushroom yields. Here are the key factors to consider:

• Lighting: Pick a location with bright indirect light throughout the day. Avoid direct sunlight if possible.

• Accessibility: Choose an accessible spot within walking distance. You’ll need to check it daily during harvest seasons.

• Moisture: Ideal spots have subsurface moisture flow, like slopes or swales. If unavailable, pick the moistest spot possible.

• Seclusion: Although not absolutely necessary, a remote spot reduces risk of tampering. Dense shrubbery provides privacy.

• Soil: Removal of debris and topsoil ensures your mycelium won’t face competition.

Finding a location that meets all criteria might take some searching. Transplanting your patch later is an option if you can carefully move the mycelium.

Step 2: Prepare Your Mushroom Spawn

Mushroom spawn provides the crucial mycelium to populate your patch. You can either purchase pre-made spawn or make your own from spores.

Purchasing spawn:

• Fully colonized mushroom grow kits offer a simple spawn source. Break up the kit and mix it into your outdoor substrate.

• Sterilized sawdust or rye spawn lets you skip the colonization process. Inoculate it with a spore syringe.

Making grain spawn:

• Inject spores from a syringe into sterilized grain jars like rye or millet.

• Once fully colonized, use this to inoculate larger batches of pasteurized sawdust.

No matter how you obtain spawn, having quality mycelium is the key starting point for your mushroom patch.

Step 3: Build and Inoculate the Mushroom Patch

With your spawn ready, it’s time to construct the mushroom patch:

• Clear plant debris from the area and remove the top layer of soil.

• Cover the bare ground with cardboard to suppress weeds.

• Add a 5 cm layer of pasteurized hardwood chips.

• Spread your sawdust spawn evenly on the woodchips, using 400g per square meter.

• Cover the spawn with 7 cm of moistened wood chips.

• Repeat by alternating woodchips and spawn for a total of 3 layers each.

• Top with a final layer of moistened wood chips.

• Cover with cardboard to retain moisture and optionally a thin layer of sterile straw.

This layered structure provides the ideal environment for mushroom mycelium to thrive. Leave the patch undisturbed for at least 6 months while the mycelium fully colonizes the woodchips. Your mushroom patch is now complete!

Step 4: Maintain Proper Moisture and Harvest Mushrooms

With your patch inoculated, natural rainfall may provide sufficient water for your mushrooms. If experiencing a dry spell, soak the patch daily to maintain damp conditions.

Pinhead mushrooms will emerge once the mycelium is established, followed by mature, harvestable mushrooms. Be patient – it may take over 6 months for your first harvest.

Check your patch daily during mushroom season. Use a knife to carefully cut each mushroom at the base of the stem. Expect 1-3 decent harvests per season, with the perfect timing depending on your climate.

Continue to water and care for your patch after harvesting. The mycelium can persist and produce mushrooms for many years. With ideal conditions, your mushroom patch will provide an abundant outdoor harvest!

Troubleshooting Outdoor Mushroom Problems

Even with the best preparations, you may encounter issues with your outdoor magic mushroom patch:

• Contamination appears as colored mold taking over woodchips. Scrape away infected areas or start a new patch.

• Lack of moisture causes pinheads to stall. Increase watering frequency and amount.

• Pests and animals may dig up or trample your patch. Use fencing to protect your mushrooms.

• Poor yields can result from inadequate lighting, water, or nutrients. Boosting these growing conditions may help.

• Premature mushroom growth means you may miss prime harvesting time. Check your patch daily when pins emerge.

With attentive care and maintenance, your mushroom patch can bounce back from setbacks. Don’t get discouraged if your first attempt isn’t perfectly fruitful. Each season provides valuable lessons for improving your cultivation process.

Enjoy the Fruits of Your Labor

With some patience and effort, you’ll be rewarded with the magical experience of foraging your own potent psilocybin mushrooms. While not completely effortless, outdoor mushroom cultivation requires far less maintenance than demanding indoor grows.

The fresh air and dappled sunlight of an outdoor environment bring out the best flavors and potency in homegrown magic mushrooms. Tripping in nature with mushrooms grown by your own hand can induce life-changing spiritual journeys.

As you tweak your methods each season, your mushroom patch will continue fruiting for many years. A thriving outdoor oasis of magic mushrooms may be easier to achieve than you think!