A guide published by the state of Utah provides advice on growing mushrooms. – News from the desert

Monday’s mid-October weather on Utah’s Wasatch Front could almost pass for June, but it won’t last long. The forecast for Thursday and Friday calls for rain and maybe even a trace of snow.

The traditional growing season in Utah gardens is coming to an end in 2024, and the last batches of tomatoes and zucchini are waiting to be harvested.

However, you can enjoy the “mushroom coaxing” harvest all year round.

Utah State University Extension has published a novice’s guide to growing gourmet mushrooms during the winter months and beyond.

Featuring step-by-step instructions and tips for growing mushrooms at home, “The Beginner’s Guide to Growing Mushrooms at Home” has all the instructions Utah green folk need to start growing the popular (and health-enhancing) varieties of white button, cremini, portobello, oyster, shitake , pioppino and lion’s mane mushrooms.

The guide guides beginner growers through the process of growing mushrooms – from choosing the right species to when and how to harvest them. Topics include:

1. Understanding mushrooms. Information on the life cycle of fungi and the key role of the mycelium network in the production of fruiting bodies.
2. Preparation of a sterile workplace. The guide emphasizes creating a clean, sterile work environment to prevent mold contamination.
3. Substrate selection and sterilization. Backyard growers receive guidance on preparing various substrates, such as straw, wood pellets and coconut, which provide the mushrooms with the nutrients they need to thrive.
4. Preparation of spawn and inoculation. The guide provides step-by-step instructions for inoculating grains with fungal spores and monitoring mycelium growth.
5. Fruiting and harvesting conditions. It describes the environmental conditions necessary for fruiting – including optimal temperature, humidity and light – and tips on optimal harvest time.

The guide was created by Utah State College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences faculty members Paul Grossl, Melanie Stock and graduate student Jacob Hawkes.

Mushrooms: tasty, home-made sources of health-improving nutrients

According to WebMD, mushrooms not only enhance flavor in countless recipes, but are “packed with tons of essential vitamins and minerals and make a great addition to your diet.”

“Mushrooms offer many health benefits, including immune system support, brain health and protection against certain types of cancer,” said guide co-creator Grossl.

High in potassium, mushrooms can potentially lower blood pressure by relieving tension in blood vessels. Mushrooms can also strengthen the immune system because they contain high amounts of selenium, vitamin D and vitamin B6 – key nutrients that can help prevent cell damage while promoting cell growth and the formation of red blood cells.

Studies have also shown that mushrooms can influence weight loss, of course when combined with exercise and other healthy lifestyle changes.