“Growing mushrooms is great as an activity for kids, adults who have free time and want to start to grow their own food, or anyone in between,” says Brian Chau, a food scientist and fungal fanatic. You won’t need much else to get the hobby going, other than mushrooms and your substrate. While vegetables and fruits grow from seeds, mushrooms grow from microscopic spores. Spores grow in different types of substrates such as wood, sawdust, compost, or straw. And as you notice mushrooms starting to form, Carter recommends misting around them rather than spraying them directly. And voilà! You’re ready to start incorporating your homegrown mushrooms into decadent soups, “steaks,” salads, and everything in between. Packed with minerals and vitamins, they’ll provide a delicious way to support your immune system, too. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time in her garden, experimenting with ingredients in the kitchen, or spending time by the ocean. See her portfolio on her website.
