Back to the Roots: Mushroom Farm!

A few weeks before Christmas the folks at Back to the Roots contacted me and asked if I would be interested in reviewing their grow-your-own mushroom farm. In addition to offering healthful "Ready to Eat" products, the most interesting of which is organic purple corn flakes, Back to the Roots also vends a line of "Ready to Grow"  kits, including the aforementioned mushroom farm, "garden in a jar," and a self-watering tomato planter.

Clearly these generous people don't know me too well. While my husband is extremely adept at cultivating all sorts of flora, I am famous for my ability to kill even the hardiest botanical species.  Let's hope having a green thumb is a dominant trait or else there's little hope for our kids.

With the new year I was feeling emboldened about Trying Things I Historically Suck At and decided to give the kit a go. And, lo and behold, I surprised myself.

It's alive!!!

Starting the mushroom farm was easy: tear off the window, soak the bed in water for about 8-12 hours (I went for 24 just to be sure), place not in direct sunlight, and mist bed about twice day. I launched my farm on a Thursday and by Sunday saw some blossoming. One week out my oyster fungi had grown substantially. I expect to be able to harvest them by this coming Sunday.

I give this kit a solid "A" for its ability to generate fast results and enable this Texas gal to say, if only for a week, "I am a successful mushroom farmer."

What's next for the 'shrooms? I planning on using them in pasta, specifically this pappardelle recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart.