After ten years of publishing Garden Culture, we have seen many fads come and go. Some stuck, others did not. Some of the biggest trends that genuinely changed the game were the introduction of coco coir as a substrate, microbes as a supplement, and LED grow lights. There is another craze booming outside our industry, and it’s mushrooms.
The global mushroom market was valued at $58.8 billion in 2021 and will reach an estimated $86.5 billion by 2027, according to market research firm IMARC. The year 2022 was not the best for indoor gardening shops or the companies that manufacture and supply the products they sell. Can mushroom cultivation be a new product category that helps our local hydro shops succeed? I hope so.
If you have been growing for years and have never tried growing mushrooms, NOW is the time. Not only are they fun and a beautiful thing to grow, but they are also super healthy and delicious. This edition has articles to motivate and educate you on how to do it.
If mushrooms are not for you, don’t worry! This edition contains valuable and interesting information, such as how best to use vermiculite and seaweed in the garden. Find which microbes reign supreme, discover who wins the substrate battle between peat moss and coco coir, and learn why ventilation is critical to a successful grow room.
Remember to get out and support your local grow shop. They need us more than ever. So pick up a mushroom growing kit, and let us know how it goes!
Happy growing!
Whether starting from a spore or pre-inoculated kit, cleanliness will be a significant factor in the success of your first grow.
Struggling to understand airflow in your grow room? Join the club! Adam Clarke is a ventilation boss and guides us through achieving ideal airflow.
What’s your indoor growing medium of choice? Av Singh explores the pros and cons of coco coir versus peat so you can make the best choice for your grow.
Did you know your plants crave seafood? Some of the most nutritious natural garden fertilizers come from the ocean. Cody J. Garrett-Tait looks at the best of the best.
