Mycelial Mayhem: Growing Mushrooms for Fun, Profit and Companion Planting
“A comprehensive and personal tome on the production, business, promotion, and problem solving for the independent mushroom grower.” —Taylor Lockwood, renowned mushroom expert & photographer

Most supermarket mushrooms are bland and boring; products of an industrial process which typically relies on expensive equipment and harmful pesticides. Many people would like to add more flavorful and diverse fungi to their diets, but lack the knowledge or confidence to gather or grow their own. Do-it-yourself cultivation is a fun, exciting way to incorporate a variety of mushrooms into a sustainable lifestyle.

Mycelial Mayhem is a straightforward, no-nonsense resource for the aspiring mushroom grower. This practical guide cuts through much of the confusion surrounding methods and techniques, helping the hobbyist or farmer to:

  • Select regionally appropriate species for the home garden, farm-scale production, or an edible landscape
  • Practice sustainable, environmentally friendly cultivation techniques, such as companion planting, to combat common garden pests and diseases
  • Choose a successful, proven business approach to maximize profit and minimize frustration

Many people find that DIY mushroom cultivation is not nearly as complicated as they expect, but a knowledgeable and experienced mentor is crucial to success. Whether your goal is to harvest homegrown gourmet mushrooms for your table, supplement your income by selling to friends and neighbors, or start a full-fledged niche business, Mycelial Mayhem is packed with the advice and resources you need to succeed with this rewarding and valuable crop.

“After reading Mycelial Mayhem’s approachable primer to this age-old art I’m ready to invite the mysterious and captivating kingdom of fungi right into my own home.” —Langdon Cook, author of The Mushroom Hunters

1118973924
Mycelial Mayhem: Growing Mushrooms for Fun, Profit and Companion Planting
“A comprehensive and personal tome on the production, business, promotion, and problem solving for the independent mushroom grower.” —Taylor Lockwood, renowned mushroom expert & photographer

Most supermarket mushrooms are bland and boring; products of an industrial process which typically relies on expensive equipment and harmful pesticides. Many people would like to add more flavorful and diverse fungi to their diets, but lack the knowledge or confidence to gather or grow their own. Do-it-yourself cultivation is a fun, exciting way to incorporate a variety of mushrooms into a sustainable lifestyle.

Mycelial Mayhem is a straightforward, no-nonsense resource for the aspiring mushroom grower. This practical guide cuts through much of the confusion surrounding methods and techniques, helping the hobbyist or farmer to:

  • Select regionally appropriate species for the home garden, farm-scale production, or an edible landscape
  • Practice sustainable, environmentally friendly cultivation techniques, such as companion planting, to combat common garden pests and diseases
  • Choose a successful, proven business approach to maximize profit and minimize frustration

Many people find that DIY mushroom cultivation is not nearly as complicated as they expect, but a knowledgeable and experienced mentor is crucial to success. Whether your goal is to harvest homegrown gourmet mushrooms for your table, supplement your income by selling to friends and neighbors, or start a full-fledged niche business, Mycelial Mayhem is packed with the advice and resources you need to succeed with this rewarding and valuable crop.

“After reading Mycelial Mayhem’s approachable primer to this age-old art I’m ready to invite the mysterious and captivating kingdom of fungi right into my own home.” —Langdon Cook, author of The Mushroom Hunters

34.99 In Stock
Mycelial Mayhem: Growing Mushrooms for Fun, Profit and Companion Planting

Mycelial Mayhem: Growing Mushrooms for Fun, Profit and Companion Planting

Mycelial Mayhem: Growing Mushrooms for Fun, Profit and Companion Planting

Mycelial Mayhem: Growing Mushrooms for Fun, Profit and Companion Planting

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Overview

“A comprehensive and personal tome on the production, business, promotion, and problem solving for the independent mushroom grower.” —Taylor Lockwood, renowned mushroom expert & photographer

Most supermarket mushrooms are bland and boring; products of an industrial process which typically relies on expensive equipment and harmful pesticides. Many people would like to add more flavorful and diverse fungi to their diets, but lack the knowledge or confidence to gather or grow their own. Do-it-yourself cultivation is a fun, exciting way to incorporate a variety of mushrooms into a sustainable lifestyle.

Mycelial Mayhem is a straightforward, no-nonsense resource for the aspiring mushroom grower. This practical guide cuts through much of the confusion surrounding methods and techniques, helping the hobbyist or farmer to:

  • Select regionally appropriate species for the home garden, farm-scale production, or an edible landscape
  • Practice sustainable, environmentally friendly cultivation techniques, such as companion planting, to combat common garden pests and diseases
  • Choose a successful, proven business approach to maximize profit and minimize frustration

Many people find that DIY mushroom cultivation is not nearly as complicated as they expect, but a knowledgeable and experienced mentor is crucial to success. Whether your goal is to harvest homegrown gourmet mushrooms for your table, supplement your income by selling to friends and neighbors, or start a full-fledged niche business, Mycelial Mayhem is packed with the advice and resources you need to succeed with this rewarding and valuable crop.

“After reading Mycelial Mayhem’s approachable primer to this age-old art I’m ready to invite the mysterious and captivating kingdom of fungi right into my own home.” —Langdon Cook, author of The Mushroom Hunters


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780865718142
Publisher: New Society Publishers
Publication date: 03/14/2016
Pages: 288
Sales rank: 841,922
Product dimensions: 7.20(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

David Sewak has worked in the conservation field for nearly two decades. Together with Kristin Sewak, he is previous co-owner of Berglorbeer Farma, which specialized in edible mushrooms, heirloom vegetables, native landscape plants and sustainable landscape design. David and Kristin speak on mushroom gathering and indoor and outdoor cultivation techniques at regional and national green living events. David holds a degree in History and Philosophy, and serves on the boards of Somerset Conservation District, Stonycreek-Conemaugh River Improvement Project, and Natural Biodiversity.

Kristin Sewak is the founder of Natural Biodiversity, a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring biodiversity within landscapes and involving people in environmental solutions. Together with David Sewak, she is owned Berglorbeer Farma, which specialized in edible mushrooms, heirloom vegetables, native landscape plants and sustainable landscape design. Kristin and David speak on mushroom gathering and indoor and outdoor cultivation techniques at regional and national green living events. Kristin holds a degree in ecology, has graduated from the community leadership initiative of Greater Johnstown/Cambria County Chamber of Commerce, and is a certified Habitat Stewards Host with the National Wildlife Federation.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xiii

Foreword xv

Introduction 1

Dave's Mycelial Mayhem Journey 4

Kristin's Mycelial Mayhem Journey 5

Section I Mycelia

1 Why Mushrooms? 9

Why Not Mushrooms? 9

Mushrooms Are Part of Our Fabric 11

Mushrooms for the Future 13

On the Mushroom Path 14

2 Mushroom Basics 17

Fungi: A Kingdom of Its Own 17

Mushroom Structure and Life Cycle 19

Relevance of the Life Cycle to Cultivation and Harvest 20

Facilitating Growth and Reproduction 25

Fungi in Our Ecosystems 26

Mushroom Life Cycle and Ecology as Teacher 27

Section II The Stem

3 Growing Mushrooms 31

The Assessment 31

Outdoor Cultivation 34

Wine Caps (Stropharia rugoso annulata) 36

Oysters 40

Pink Oyster (Pleurotus djamor) 59

Italian Oyster (Pleurotus pulmonarius) 60

Golden Oyster (Pleurotus cornucopiae) 61

King Oyster (Pleurotus eryngii) 61

Nameko (Pholiota nameko) 62

Pioppino or Black Poplar (Agrocybe aegerita) 62

Lion's Mane or Hericium (Hericium erinaceus) 63

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) 64

Maitake 66

Black, Yellow, and Grey Morels (Morchella angusticeps, M. esculenta and M. deliciosa) 67

Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) 68

Indoor Cultivation: The Mayhem Within 79

4 Wild Collecting and Purveying 87

Tenets to Follow When Collecting Wild Mushrooms 91

Tenets to Follow When Purveying Wild-collected Mushrooms 92

5 Companion Planting and Other Sustainable Methods 99

Systems Thinking: It's Not Just About the Mushrooms 99

What's the Difference? Economics vs. Ecology 100

What's the Difference? Sustainability vs. Resilience 100

Biomimicry 101

Permaculture Principles 102

Putting It All Together: Resilient Design 104

Applications for Mushroom Growing 106

Composting 114

Recycling Spent Growing Medium 114

Materials and Energy Reduction 117

Business Resilience 117

Sharing Your Bounty 118

Section III The Fruit of Your Labor

6 Umami of Edible Mushrooms 121

What Is Umami? 121

From Harvest to Feast: Handling Mushrooms for the Best Umami 122

Complementary Food Pairings for Umami and Health 126

The Taste, Texture and Presentation of Specific Mushrooms 126

Culinary Supplements 128

Recipes 129

7 Nutritional Benefits of Mushrooms 141

Nutrition and Medicine 143

Nutritional Content of Mushrooms 145

The Known Benefits 146

The Super Seven Medicinal Mushrooms 148

Mushrooms' Major Health Improvement Functions 149

How to Maximize Nutritional Content 154

Cautions 156

8 Niche Business or Supplemental Income 159

Mushrooms As a Business? 159

Knowing How to Grow 161

Formulating Your Idea 161

Evaluating Your Market: Conducting a Market Analysis 164

Getting Started 167

9 Marketing Mushrooms 187

Challenges and Opportunities 190

Developing Your Story 192

Traditional Advertising 196

Target Marketing and Understanding Your Unique Market 198

Crafting Your Online Presence 199

Collaboration 204

Face Time 208

Developing Your Unique Marketing Strategy 222

Evaluating Your Efforts 224

Looking Forward and Anticipating Change 225

Section IV Spreading the Spores

10 Conclusion: Spread Your Spores 229

Appendix: Marketing and Communications Materials 233

North American Resources by Subject 251

References 257

Index 261

About the Authors 269

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Mycelial Mayhem is a comprehensive and personal tome on the production, business, promotion, and problem solving for the independent mushroom grower. Although my interests lean toward "mushroom art" more than mushroom production, I am looking forward to having my own copy for its valuable resources."
— Taylor Lockwood

"This lively, companionable book demystifies mushrooms for those of us seeking clear explanations and checklists combined with infectious enthusiasm and some stunning photos, to nudge us towards starting out cultivating, wild collecting and marketing this diverse class of crops, which can complement our other gardening and farming ventures."
— Pam Dawling, author, Sustainable Market Farming

"Usually I'm out in the woods looking for wild mushrooms, not cultivating them, but after reading Mycelial Mayhem's approachable primer to this age-old art I'm ready to invite the mysterious and captivating kingdom of fungi right into my own home.
— Langdon Cook, author, The Mushroom Hunters

"This is the book that I will recommend for all beginning mushroom growers. Whether you want to grow mushrooms just for your own use or are considering them as a business, you will find this is a practical, down to earth, and enjoyable book to read. It covers everything the beginner needs to know including the basics of mushroom biology, how to grow, wild collecting, incorporating mushrooms into your landscape, cooking, and how start a mushroom business. The niche business and supplement income section is excellent and appropriate for someone considering any kind of small-scale agricultural business."
— Jeanine Davis, PhD., Associate Professor and Extension Specialist North Carolina State University, and lead author, Growing and Marketing Ginseng,Goldenseal and Other Woodland Medicinals

"Mycelial Mayhem draws us into the wild, weird, and wonderful world of the fungal kingdom with irresistible wit and wisdom. Emphasizing culinary glory, responsible foraging, nutritional and health benefits, the role of fungi in healthy ecosystems, and the barely explored possibilities of profitable business, this charming and very well-informed book is both welcome and indispensable for the beginning cultivator or curious cook."
— Peter Bane, author, The Permaculture Handbook

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