See what's new & learn all about mushrooms and growing!
By Michael Hawthorne
Colonized grain spawn is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to expand healthy mushroom mycelium into a larger fruiting substrate. With a fully colonized 5 lb grain spawn...
By Michael Hawthorne
If you’ve decided this is the year you start growing mushrooms at home, you’re in the right place. But before you order anything, there’s one question almost every grower asks:...
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By Michael Hawthorne
Learn how to use agar plates to clone, isolate, and propagate mushroom cultures. Step-by-step guide covering tools, technique, and contamination prevention.
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By Michael Hawthorne
Step-by-step guide to growing Cordyceps militaris in mason jars. Learn the best substrate recipe, advanced additives, and why starting with a high-quality liquid culture or ready-to-grow kit makes all the...
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By Michael Hawthorne
Learn what overlay is in mushroom growing, why it happens, and how to fix thick, matted mycelium so your monotub can start pinning again.Â
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By Michael Hawthorne
Learn how to identify mushroom contamination fast—trich, bacteria, cobweb, and bruising—with a step-by-step response framework, photo comparisons, and prevention tips.
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By Michael Hawthorne
Before you buy spores, read this. Our 2026 guide breaks down trusted vendors, common contamination issues, real photo examples, and how to test syringes on agar or Quick Culture Jars...
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By Michael Hawthorne
For all you first-time growers, we put this glossary together to help you understand the words and slang used in the mushroom growing world. Enjoy! Abort: A mushroom that stops...
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By Michael Hawthorne
There are many different methods for growing mushrooms and just as many types of substrates and soils to choose from. Here’s a handy guide to casing soil.
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By Michael Hawthorne
If you want to cultivate mushrooms, it’ll be wise for you to understand the various parts that comprise it. Learn more about what makes up a mushroom here.
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By Michael Hawthorne
Quick answer: most healthy spawn bags fully colonize in 3 to 5 weeks. Bags started from active liquid culture run at the fast end of that range; bags injected with...
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By Midwest Grow Kits Management
Can you dunk a monotub or bulk substrate grow? The short answer is yes, but treat it as a recovery tool, not a routine step. A well-prepared bulk substrate should...
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By Michael Hawthorne
What's the difference between the half-pint jars and grain jars that we offer? Let's be real- we have quite a few different substrate jars that we offer. But what is...
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