The Almond Agaricus mushroom is a summer producer that can grow in a wide variety of composts. It thrives in warm environments, nicely adapting to porch and window box plantings and protected culture in the greenhouse, but like every other mushroom, it requires moisture to grow which often means occasional watering to keep the seeding zone moist. Its warmth loving nature means it is cold sensitive and will only produce as long as temperatures stay above 40°F. Fruiting success is directly correlated to maintaining the moisture content of the substrate (your mix or compost, soil, and spawn), so be sure to start with a properly hydrated mix prior to inoculation and planting. Follow the steps below for planting your Almond pots or beds.
Note: Bottle spawn is similar to bag spawn biologically but bag spawn is often used for larger scale plantings. If you wish, you may use the bottle spawn inoculation method (Step 3) with bagged spawn (simply placing the spawn in a narrower band of compost) but if you wish to get faster fruiting and higher yields add more spawn. For maximum yields, use 5 lbs of spawn to a 45-55 liter pot filled with approximately 33:33:33 potting soil to compost to garden soil, adding 1/2 bag of spawn to the top half of the pot.
Preparing your Mushroom Bed Material
Step 1. Prepare the Compost and Garden Soil
Compost should be fully finished (so you can't tell what the starting material was). A variety of plant-based composts work great, even store purchased varieties. Compost should be maintained between 60-70% moisture content. Grab a handful of compost and squeeze it. When you open your hand, it should stick together in a clump but water shouldn't squeeze out.
Step 2. Prepare the Potting soil
Potting soil usually needs to be hydrated. An effective way to keep your entire mix hydrated properly for a great moisture content at inoculation is to hydrate your potting soil so it is a little wetter than your compost. Grab a handful and squeeze: a few drops of water should squeeze out.
Planting Almond Agaricus
Method 1: Inoculating in a pot or planter with Bottle or Bag Spawn (proceed to Method 3 if planting in garden or raised bed)
The Almond spawn is planted near the surface where it will grow and thrive if it is provided with a regular watering schedule. Small plantings benefit from this concentrated inoculation zone. You can grow the Almond as a crop all by itself in pots but it is easiest to plant leafy flower or vegetables as transplants or seeds along with the Almond. The plants will provide important shade and gas exchange to help nurture the mushrooms as they grow, and vice versa. Here's how to do it:
• Mix together equal parts potting soil, compost, garden soil mix. Fill your planter 1/2 to 2/3 full with the mixture. Keep leftover mix reserved.
• Scoop the spawn out of the bottle or bag and crumble into reserved mix (we use one full bottle or 1/2 bag per pot). Add the spawn-soil mix to the pot. Note that you will only have spawn in the top half of the container.
• Now you can plant your seeds or transplants. You may wish to mulch the pot surface to keep the compost moist and avoid over-watering.
Next, watch for mushrooms! In 3-6 weeks from inoculation (depending on weather conditions), your pot may start to fruit.
Method 2: Planting in the garden with Bottle or Bag spawn
Almond is best planted in compost that is layered under a plant or plants that will provide ample, leafy shade during the growing season. Tomatoes, eggplant, peppers and summer squash are good choices.
Follow the same steps as for planting in pots or planters (Step 1) laying a 4-inch deep swath of compost in a chosen location in the garden and press the spawn into the compost so it rests near the soil surface. Mulch over the compost to help keep the compost moist. *Note: Skip adding potting soil as it is only important for growing successfully in pots.
Time to plant:
Spring to early summer, after danger of last frost during warm weather conditions.
Time to fruiting:
As soon as 4 weeks after planting.
When they fruit:
Summer until cool down in the fall, single season.
Grows on:
Finished compost.
Appearance:
Large white button mushroom that matures into classic Portobello shape. Almond Agaricus has a central white stem, a white-tan colored cap, and a veil during its immature stage that breaks away to reveal pale pink gills (gills darken to deep brown as the spores mature). Generally as large as classic button and baby bella mushrooms.
Flavor and texture:
Mild and tender, often with a hint of almond aroma and flavor. Flavor intensifies with dehydration.
Method 3: Planting in raised bedsIf you use drip irrigation in a raised bed, you can successfully raise Almond Agaricus. Hoe a 4-inch deep, 4 inches wide trench down the drip layer of the bed. Fill the trench with compost and inoculate an egg-sized piece every 6 inches. Mulch over the trench and lay the drip hose over the trench and water as necessary for the plants.
Maintaining and monitoring the bed during colonization
Maintaining moisture is the most critical factor for success. Outdoor beds may receive enough rainfall, but beds planted in protective structures (ex. cold frame) may need to be watered as frequently as several times a week. A top layer of mulch can really reduce the need to water. The top layer of compost may appear dry, pull away the mulch from the top of the bed. You should be able to see white mycelium cover patches of the surface of the compost after a few weeks. CAUTION: Beware of keeping the compost layer constantly wet, as this may drown the mycelium.
Watch for pinning mushrooms
Baby mushrooms will appear as solid white bubbles, usually at the base of plants, and will quickly enlarge. Within a week, mushrooms will be full size when the cap expands and drops its skirt. Gently pull the mushroom at its base and trim the roots off to keep the mushroom clean. You can eat the both the cap and stem.
Mushrooms will develop intermittently throughout the growing season and sometimes even in to late fall. You can bring the pots indoors and with occasional watering you can sometimes collect a few more mushrooms if the pots don't freeze.
