To enjoy exquisite mushrooms, you do not have to go out to the forest or the local market. You can harvest them in your own garden; as long as the climate and soil allow you to grow the appropriate tree species and these are carriers of these mushrooms.
All the mushrooms grow at the feet of certain trees, these thanks to the mycorrhization, a natural phenomenon that consists in the symbiotic association of a fungus and a tree for mutual benefit. The fungus joins the roots and forms a new organ called mycorrhiza, which is positive for the tree because it increases its ability to absorb minerals, nutrients and water, and provides natural antibiotics that protect it from other harmful fungi, the fungus, for its part, feeds on the carbohydrates that the plant manufactures.
Young trees usually take six to ten years to produce mushrooms. Under optimum soil, planting and maintenance conditions, the production of mushrooms around the trunk is often abundant since, together with the production of mushrooms, the strengthening of the tree involving mycorrhization results in faster growth and greater resistance to Diseases and the rigors of climate.
How to grow mushrooms in the garden
- The ideal place for planting is in logs and stumps, the ideal trees for sowing softwood mushrooms, especially poplar, although others are also good such as white poplar, walnut or willow.
- You should position the trunk horizontally and create holes that are about two centimeters wide and 5 deep.
- If you plan to grow it outdoors, you must choose a shaded area that is not exposed to the wind and is cool in summer.
- Then distribute the contents of an alpaca bag in the holes, which contains the fungus that will produce the mushrooms and cover them with tape that is used to pack.
- After a few months the trunk will be covered with white, then remove the bag. If you have it indoors, move it to a cool area like a terrace or a balcony to start the production phase. If you have it outdoors, the production phase will start when the temperature is below 18 ° C and as long as it does not freeze.
