Fresh mushrooms at home — just mist, wait, and harvest!
Growing gourmet mushrooms at home is easier than you might think — especially with our Microbe Monastery mushroom grow kits (buy here). Each kit comes fully colonized and ready to fruit, so all you have to do is open the bag, give it a little love, and watch your mushrooms pop up — sometimes overnight!
Whether you’re growing indoors on your kitchen counter or outside under a tree, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
What’s in the Kit?
Inside you'll find a bag full of fully colonized hardwood sawdust - this is your mushroom block, and it’s alive and ready to fruit!
You do not need to add spores or do any complicated setup - just follow the steps below and you’ll have mushrooms in no time.
Indoor Growing Instructions
Find the Right Spot
- Choose a space with indirect or partial sunlight (like a bright kitchen or a coffee table near a window).
- Keep the block in the bag — no need to open it completely!
Cut a Slit
- Use a clean knife or scissors to cut a small X or slit into the side of the bag.
- This opening is where your mushrooms will grow out.
- Optional: push excess air out the top of the bag and secure the excess plastic down with elastic bands.
Mist Daily
- Mist around the opening once or twice a day with clean water.
- Keep the area moist, but not dripping wet. Mushrooms love humidity!
Watch Them Grow!
- You’ll see small “pins” (baby mushrooms) form within a few days.
- They grow fast - sometimes doubling in size overnight, so check them daily.
Harvest Time
- When the caps begin to flatten or turn upward, it’s time to pick.
- Gently twist them off at the base.
- Note: This recommendation is for oyster mushrooms. Other mushrooms like lion's mane have different maturation characteristics (elongated teeth). Take note of what mushroom grow kit you got and keep an eye out for what the mature form of those mushrooms looks like.
Get Ready for the Next Flush
- Close or fold the open flap after harvesting.
- Keep misting daily. Your block can produce 3 to 5 flushes with proper care!
- Note: There may be a lull period of 1-2 weeks between flushes. Don't get discouraged!
- If your block seems very dry or has shrunk in size considerably, you can submerge it under clean, room temp water for 12 hours to rehydrate it. This will give your block an extra boost to produce even more mushrooms.
Outdoor Growing (Low Effort Option)
Want nature to do the work? Try this:
- Remove the block from the bag gently
- Place it under a shady tree or bush, directly on soil or mulch
- Let rain and humidity do the misting
- Check regularly, especially after rain. Mushrooms can pop up fast!
- Harvest by twisting mushrooms off as they appear
This method is perfect if you want a more hands-off experience. Just be sure to check for critters or slugs depending on your region.
After the Mushrooms Are Gone
Even after your last flush, the block still has life left!
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Compost it or break it up into your garden mulch
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If conditions are right, it may continue to grow mushrooms outdoors
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It also helps enrich your soil with organic matter and beneficial fungi
Tips for Success
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Don’t place your kit in direct sunlight or near heat vents
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If the mushrooms start to drop spores (look for fine dust under caps), it’s time to harvest!
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A dry home? Try placing a loose plastic bag over the block to help with humidity
Ready to Grow?
Our kits make mushroom growing fun, simple, and rewarding - for foodies, families, gardeners, and curious minds of all ages.
If you have questions, share photos, or want to show off your harvest, tag us on Instagram @microbemonastery or email us at microbemonastery@gmail.com. We love seeing our fungi friends grow!