How to Grow Oyster Mushrooms Indoors

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It's easy to grow oyster mushrooms indoors. Use them to flavor soups, wild rice, or grill and serve them as a main dish.

Step 1: Wash and prep cartons
Cut the tops off the milk cartons evenly around all sides and wash them to remove milk residue. Then use a pencil to punch 4 to 5 holes through each side of both cartons.

Step 2: Sterilize sawdust and coffee
Put the sawdust and coffee grounds into a microwave-safe bowl. Add water until the mixture has a spongy consistency and then microwave the mixture for 2 minutes, until the water is boiling, to kill any foreign organisms.

Tip
You may need to microwave the sawdust and coffee mixture in batches.

Step 3: Remove and let it cool
Remove the mixture from the microwave and allow it to return to room temperature.

Step 4: Wet the sawdust and mix in spores
Dampen the sawdust mixture with non-chlorinated water and mix in the oyster mushroom spawn or starter culture.

Step 5: Pack cartons and store
Pack the milk cartons tightly with the sawdust and spawn mixture and place them in a cool, dark place.

Tip
Cover the mixture with loose-fitting plastic wrap or lay plastic wrap underneath the carton with a bit of cooking oil spread around the carton's base to keep bugs away.

Step 6: Keep moist and wait
Keep the sawdust mixture moist with non-chlorinated water for the next few months, until your mushrooms are ready to be harvested.

Did You Know?
Some varieties of oyster mushrooms have been used to break down fossil fuel waste.