Info, news & debate
Archives: Info Articles
Lime wash
One part lime putty, c. two parts water or until the consistency of full cream milk is achieved. Mix in a small tub or a bucket with a whisk. You can sieve for a particularly fine finish.
Limecrete
Lime concrete, or limecrete, has been used since Roman times for massive structures such as bridges, docks, and even the dome of the pantheon in Rome.
History of mushroom cultivation
The consumption of mushrooms probably occurred during prehistory, in the hunting and gathering period. Unlike plants, mushrooms could not be cultivated at first and were collected for a long period of time.
Introduction to mushroom growing
A mushroom develops in two stages: a vegetative phase when it grows and decomposes organic matter, and a fruiting phase, when mushrooms (fruiting bodies) are produced.
Mushrooms suitable for cultivation
Some mushrooms can be cultivated from commercially available spawn either as dowels, grain inoculated spawn or as truffle trees.
Commercially-available spawn
Commercially-available mushroom spawn:
Mushroom substrates
There are various types of substrates which are used in mushroom growing, including:
Mushrooms selected for cultivation
Recommended mushroom species for cultivation.
Cultivation methods: humus-inhabiting mushrooms
The mushroom growing substrate referred to as ‘compost’ is quite different from garden compost or soil.
Cultivation methods: wood-inhabiting mushrooms
Woody materials and logs can be prepared much more quickly than compost. The logs should be cut from healthy trees (preferably due to storm damage or tree maintenance work) during the dormant season.
Sigi Koko’s finish clay plaster recipe and wall preparation
Thanks to Sigi Koko of Build Naturally.
How to grow oyster mushrooms in logs
This instruction relates to growing Oyster Mushrooms from dowels; these are intended for inoculation into hardwood logs.
How to grow oyster mushrooms in waste coffee grounds
The best advice for success is to start by growing Oyster mushrooms, the easiest and most forgiving variety for any home cultivator to grow.
How to grow shiitake mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms require cellulose-rich material and will grow on a variety of woody substrates.
How to grow button mushrooms
Agaricus is unlike other mushroom spawn in that it is a secondary decomposer; this means that it needs to work with bacteria which carry out the primary decomposition of cellulose material into a form accessible by Agaricus.
Step-by-step guides to growing different varieties of nuts
Step-by-step guides to growing nut trees. Thanks to John Harrison of Allotment & Gardens.
Step-by-step guides to growing soft fruit
Step-by-step guides to growing different kinds of soft fruit. Thanks to John Harrison of Allotment & Gardens.
Decide whether solar hot water is right for you
First read our introduction to solar hot water. Maybe talk to other system owners, read books, attend courses, ask questions – get as much basic information as you can.
Do you need permission?
Do you live in a protected building? Is it listed, or in a protected area – a national park, area of outstanding natural beauty or a conservation area?