OYSTER GARDEN BLOCK INSTRUCTIONS

Cluster of black and white mushrooms with black caps and white stems
Close-up of pink oyster mushrooms showing gills and curved caps
Close-up of cluster of beige mushrooms with gills visible underneath caps.

Once you’ve created the ideal environment, you’re ready to get growing!

Still need help deciding where you should grow your Garden Block? Click here to check out our tips for setting up the perfect growing area.

1. Using a sharp, clean knife, carefully cut a 3 inch long “X” across the center of the side of bag (opposite the label). Let the blade sink in about 1/4 inch into the block. Do not remove the grow block from the bag.

Two clear plastic bags containing mushroom substrate, placed on a wooden surface, with one labeled 'MidAm Mushrooms Blue Oyster'.

2. Thoroughly mist the area you just cut, both the block and bag. Gently lift the flaps to spray underneath.

Close-up of a person's hand peeling off a sheet of clear plastic from a slab of raw, marbled meat.

3. Place your block in your chosen growing location and continue to mist the block (or fruiting chamber) 2-3 times daily with clean water.

4. Your mushrooms should begin growing (pinning) within 7-14 days. Continue to lightly mist your oyster mushrooms when humidity levels are low.

Close-up of a cluster of tiny black mushroom spores on a surface, surrounded by white mold or fungus growth.
A person is holding a magnetic wand over a plastic container with a mushroom growing inside.

5. Your mushrooms will be ready to harvest 5-10 days after they first begin to grow. Oyster mushrooms are ready to pick when the caps are rounded, and the edges begin to unfurl (but are still slightly curled). They can go from perfectly ready to over-mature in just a few hours, so once the caps begin to flatten, check on them a few times a day. Once you notice the edges of the caps begin to unfurl, it’s time to pick!

Cluster of white mushrooms growing on a wooden surface.

Not quite ready and may not have a fully developed flavor.

Cluster of grayish-blue oyster mushrooms next to a bag labeled 'MidAm Mushrooms Blue Oyster'. The bag indicates they are for gardening and provides growing instructions.

Perfect time to harvest! Your mushrooms should be firm and slightly moist when you pick them.

Cluster of brownish-gray mushrooms on a white surface.

These brown oysters are ready to pick!.

6. Harvest your mushrooms by gently twisting at the base of the cluster.

7. Store your fresh Oyster mushrooms in a brown bag for up to 7 days in the refrigerator. Always wash and cook before consumption.

8. Oftentimes you can successfully grow a second (and third!) harvest by flipping the bag over and restarting the process from the opposite side. Once your block is no longer producing, check out our blog post for ways to give your used block a new life.

  • Oyster varieties are ready to harvest when the cap edge’s start to uncurl.

    Chestnuts are ready to harvest when the caps begin to flatten but are stil rounded.

    Lion’s Mane is ready for harvest once the spines elongate to approximately 1/4 inches.

    Gently twist your mushrooms from the base to harvest. All mushrooms should be washed and cooked before consumption.

  • Avoid water pooling on the block surface.

    Avoid placing your block in areas near direct heat or air conditioning.

    Check out our “Varieties” page for variety specific information.

    All mushrooms should be washed and cooked before consumption.

    Check out this blog post for what you can do with your block after it’s done fruiting .

    Visit our FAQ page for even more information.