Mushroom Growing Kit: Assembly & Care

What’s in Your Kit
Your mushroom kit comes with everything you need to get started:

• 1 x compost block (already colonised with mushroom mycelium), enclosed in plastic
• 1 x bag of casing soil

What You’ll Need
To help your mushrooms thrive, you’ll need a few extra household items, plus a couple of optional tools to make the process even easier:

• 0.5 litre spray bottle
• Small watering can with a rose (example from Bunnings)
• Disposable nitrile plastic gloves (see example here)
• A clean 250 mL measuring cup (metric cup)
• A clean 10 litre mixing bucket
• Stanley knife or craft blade (only to be used by adults/teachers)
• Popsicle stick marked with a line 50 mm from one end, or a ruler
• A touch of patience and a lot of excitement!

Optional:

• Circular or digital thermometer (15–25 °C range)
• Scale capable of measuring from 50 grams to 1 kg or more

Dr Geoff Martin is one of the Australian Mushroom Industries most passionate supporters. He is also an expert in growing mushrooms. Watch as Dr Geoff explains how to set up your mushroom kit, and what you need to look out for along the way. 

If you would prefer to print out these instructions please download them via the link below.

Q: How do we water the mushroom growing kit?

A: Use a spray bottle to gently mist the surface every day. When the instructions say it’s time for more water, use a small watering can with a soft spout (called a rose) to pour the water gently.

Q: Can we eat the mushrooms we grow?
A: Yes! They’re real mushrooms and safe to eat. Just make sure everyone washes their hands before and after picking them. Mushrooms can be stored in a brown paper bag in the fridge. They will stay fresh for a week if handled gently to avoid bruising.

Q: What if no mushrooms grow?
A: Sometimes mushrooms take a little extra care. Try moving the kit to a cooler spot and give the soil a few gentle sprays of water. You can also try adding 300 mL of fresh water using the watering can. Still not sure? Ask for help in our Facebook group or email us at schools@amga.asn.au.

Q: What if we see green mould?
A: Don’t worry — that can happen sometimes. To treat the mould and stop it from spreading, dip a brush in a little cooking oil (like canola oil) and dab it onto the green spot. You can also brush some oil along the edge of the box to help keep away mushroom flies.

Q: What’s the difference between a spritz and a spray?
A: A spritz is a light mist, like when you gently squeeze the spray bottle once or twice from far away, just enough to make the surface damp, not wet. A spray usually covers a bigger area with more water. For your mushroom growing kit, we want gentle spritzing, not soaking!