Morel Mushroom Site Prep Begins Today

October 13, 2007

10/13/07 - The wife and I were thinking about attending the UW spore-a-thon show/event but I was itchin’ to get started on my morel mushroom ranch!

I made up a list of things to get at the hardware store. The morel spore kit came with a very good instruction manual. Included is a list of things that make the ideal environment for successful mushroom growing. They suggested a bonfire site; failing that, wood ash and charred wood chunks, mixed with peat moss, sand, and gypsum (calcium carbonate) make a suitable foundation for morels.

Today, I worked on the fire pit and generated lots of ash and char product. Also, I decided on a good grow site. Spent a little time clearing the site. Mossy grass and young fern plants right now, along with quite a few twigs/branches. As you’ll see in an upcoming video, it’ll take a bit of work to prep the site, but it’s a great place because it’s very shady.

At first I wasn’t too happy about it, since it’s right under our neighbor’s second-story windows. I just have horrible visions of them dumping beer or deleterious crap on my mushrooms and killing them… Well, I will do my best to just not worry about it.

more to follow…

Posted in Morel Bed Construction