Why are mushrooms growing in my garden box?

Mushroom species grow best in the dark and moist conditions that are ideal in a compost pile. If you’ve been composting in your box, chances are you’ve noticed an increase in the number of mushrooms Composting can also help improve the quality of your soil, increase the amount of organic matter in it, and provide a more hospitable environment for your plants.

Why are mushrooms growing in my garden?

There are many species of mushrooms that grow in gardens and in compost. Many mushrooms are great to eat. Others are just too strange and may cause digestive problems or allergic reactions. It is important to learn which mushrooms are edible and which are not. Growing your own mushrooms does not automatically mean you are going to get the edible variety. You can learn more about edible mushrooms and how to grow them.

Why are mushrooms growing in my garden soil?

Mushrooms need a specific type of growing medium to develop, so if you’re growing them in soil (and not compost), you need to add extra nutrients to the soil to help them grow. You can add extra compost, manure, or spent mushroom compost (if you have it laying around), which will provide the extra nutrients the mushrooms need. You can also add extra minerals like seaweed or fish emulsion to help them grow.

Why are mushrooms growing in my garden soil to the point of breaking?

Well, the compost pile can be the source of the mushroom growth. You may remember that we added coffee grounds and kitchen scraps to the compost pile, along with grass clippings and other plant materials. These items will provide the fungi growing in the compost with a food source for their spores. If your compost pile is too dry, they will not be able to germinate. If the pile is too wet, it will decompose too quickly and the fungi won’t have a chance

What's up with all the mushrooms in my garden?

You’re not alone. Every gardener who has tried growing mushrooms has asked this question! Mushrooms are one of the easiest plants to grow, and fungi love compost. The decaying organic matter that compost is full of provides the perfect environment for mushrooms to grow.