Wondering how to grow portobello mushrooms? Follow our easy step by step gardening guide and learn how! Portobello mushrooms can be grown by using a method called composting. In order to grow portobello mushrooms, you will need to purchase a bag of mushroom compost from a garden center or nursery. Next, pour the contents of the bag into a hole about 18 inches deep and cover it with dirt so that no light reaches inside. After this, water the top of the dirt every other day. Portobello mushrooms should start growing in about one to two weeks.
Compost can be purchased at any garden center or nursery for approximately $10-$15. A bag usually contains enough compost to produce several portobello mushrooms.
In order for new mushrooms to grow, an old mushroom must first be harvested and removed from the garden. After this, more compost can be added to the area. While portobello mushrooms are typically harvested when they are around 4-5 inches in diameter, they can be harvested sooner if desired.
Leave harvesting of your mushroom until about 4-5 inches in diameter OR as desired. If you feel that you would like to harvest your portobellos earlier, you can do so. It is usually best to harvest before the gills of the mushroom turn black as this means they are too mature.
How to Build a Planting Bed for Portobello Mushrooms
In order to build a composting bed for growing portobello mushrooms, you will need around five feet of wood or metal fencing. Then follow these steps to create your planting bed:
1) Dig a four foot deep hole about 18 inches from the fence and make sure it is at least 4 feet wide. 2) Fill the bottom of the hole with three inches of compost. 3) Place the fence in the hole so that it is standing upright. 4) Back fill around the bottom of the post and over the top of the fencing so that about 2 to 3 feet are covered by dirt or gravel. This will ensure that no light reaches inside your composting bed for growing mushrooms, thus making sure that your mushrooms grow.
Don't forget to water your mushroom patch every other day! After this, you should be able to harvest some delicious portobello mushrooms within just one to two weeks. As an added bonus, compost can also be used in your garden for growing vegetables and flowers, making it a useful item for any gardener.
As mentioned, the compost should be watered every other day. Whether you are growing portobello mushrooms for consumption or for ornamental purposes, it is important to make sure that your patch is watered consistently. If you are using the mushroom as an ornamental addition to your garden then this should not be a problem as they can survive in almost any type of weather. If you are looking to eat the mushrooms, it is recommended that they be watered more often so that they grow larger and more quickly.
How to Harvest Portobello Mushrooms
Harvesting portobello mushrooms can be a little tricky, but it is important to harvest them before the gills turn black. This will ensure that they are not too mature and have a fresher taste. Portobellos should typically be harvested when the cap has turned from white to light brown. After this, you can either leave them whole or cut them into smaller pieces.
The gills should be a lighter brown color and the cap should be firm but not rock hard. If this is the case, you can either leave your mushrooms whole or cut them into smaller pieces. It will typically take about one to two weeks from when they first start growing for your portobello mushrooms to reach this stage.
Once you are ready to harvest your portobello mushrooms, carefully lift the mushroom out of the composting bed without damaging it. After this, either brush off any excess dirt or spray them with water until all of the dirt is gone. Portobellos do not need to be washed before consumption like other mushrooms, but they can be rinsed to remove excess dirt or debris.
Now that your portobello mushrooms are growing on your composting bed, it is time to harvest them! Portobellos should typically be harvested when the cap has turned from white to light brown. After this, you can either leave them whole or cut them.
Health Benefits of Portobello Mushrooms
Although portobellos are typically associated with being a meat substitute, they are also very healthy for you to eat. One cup of sliced portobello mushrooms contains only around 20 calories and has zero fat, cholesterol or sodium content. This makes portobello mushrooms an excellent addition to your diet if you have high blood pressure, are looking to cut calories, or simply want to get rid of some of your meat.
Even though portobello mushrooms are low in calorie content, they also provide many essential vitamins and minerals like copper, iron, selenium, niacin and zinc to name a few. Therefore if you are looking for a healthy alternative for meat that is low in fat content and high in nutrients, you should consider trying portobello mushrooms instead.
Conclusion
As mentioned, it is very easy to grow your own portobellos at home or in your garden for consumption or ornamental use. All you need is a composting bed, some dirt or gravel (optional), water, and time. It will usually take about one to two weeks before your mushrooms start growing, although this does vary depending on the exact conditions in your composting bed. While portobello mushrooms can be grown in non-composting beds if you are looking to use them for ornamental purposes, it is recommended that they be grown in composting beds if you are looking to eat them.
If you follow these simple directions, then it should only be a matter of time before your portobello mushrooms start sprouting up from the ground or from your composting bed!
By growing them yourself, the cost of purchasing portobellos from a grocery store is reduced and can even be completely eliminated. This will also allow you to select the size of your portobellos as well as what types of spices or seasonings that you want them to be spiced with.
If you are looking for a healthy alternative for meat that is low in fat content and high in nutrients, portobello mushrooms are an excellent choice.
