You want to get your mushroom-growing business started on the right foot. You want to be prepared. That way the growing process can lead to healthy, tasty and profitable mushrooms. Simply put, there are some questions to ask before starting a mushroom-growing business, so you'll be better prepared to do well. Here are six to get you started.
1. How would you like to get your spawn?
You will need spawn to start a culture. There are two ways you can get it. You can make your own using a sterile culture or you can buy ready-to-use spawn from a supplier. The sterile-culture method can be cheaper in the long run, but there are a lot of expensive start-up costs, so chances are buying spawn is your best bet when you're starting out on a budget.
2. Which material would you like to use for your substrate?
The substrate helps your spawn grow. Many growers use straw that comes from a cereal grain, such as barley, rye, rice, oats or wheat. There are other materials you can choose instead, such as wood chips, even coffee grounds. Think about which you'd like to use. Straw can be the easiest to find, as you can find it at most feed stores for a reasonable price.
3. Would you like to use supplements?
Supplements can increase yields and improve flavor. Supplements are often used by commercial growers. Some of the popular supplements used include soy meal, cottonseed meal and alfalfa meal. Typically, a small amount, such as 2% to 5% should be enough.
4. Are there drafts in your growing area?
A draft can allow contamination to get into your growing area. You certainly don't want that. You want to do what it takes to get rid of all possible contaminants in your growing area. Use weather-stripping or caulk to seal any openings into the growing room, and this will also make it easier to maintain a constant temperature.
5. Can your sell your fresh mushrooms right away?
Mushrooms are at their best when they're fresh. Fresh mushrooms should be sold as soon as possible. If you don't think you can sell your fresh mushrooms right away, then consider freezing or drying them them. Both allows you to sell your mushrooms at a later date, such as in a few days or several months. Keep in mind that you will earn more selling fresh mushrooms, so line up buyers before you start, not after your crop is ready!
6. Where would you like to sell your mushrooms?
There are many places you can sell your mushrooms. Do a little research, and find out if they might be interested in what you're growing. Maybe you'd like to try out the local farmers' market, which routinely draws big crowds. Or how about a restaurant? They have to get their fresh mushrooms from someone, so why not you? Finally, have you considered selling to grocery stores? Many are carrying more and more mushroom varieties, and might be the perfect outlet for your entire mushroom crop when it's fresh.
Think about these six questions and you'll start your mushroom-growing business on the right foot. Before long you could be the go-to grower for gourmet mushrooms in your area. To learn more, read Golden Harvest, available at: rel=nofollow
http://extraincomebulletin.comCraig Wallin is the author of twelve best-selling books about home-based businesses you can start for just a few hundred dollars, and the editor of EXTRA INCOME BULLETIN, an online resource about honest businesses you can start on a shoestring. To learn more, visit:
http://extraincomebulletin.com
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