Factors to Consider Before Starting a Mushroom Farm

Many people are now starting to consider having mushroom farms. There are a few things that you need to keep in mind before you can start a mushroom farm. One of the major factors is considering the amount of capital you can invest in this business. Your capital will determine the amount of raw materials that you are going to use. This could be the seed or the mushroom tissue. You can buy a spawn or a mushroom tissue from a commercial mushroom grower. Capital can also be looked at in terms of the growing system and the labor to be used. Mushrooms are always ready for harvest in three or four week so they will need sufficient labor. It is always advisable that you start a big farming system in order to get the most out of it.

You will also need to identity the right kind of substrate to be used in your farm. This will normally depend on the type of mushrooms that you are growing. Some mushrooms prefer woody materials while others will do well in compost. You can also grow mushrooms depending on the substrate to be used. Compost usually takes a lot of time to prepare so it is not recommended for large farms. The woody materials that include saw dust and straw are more readily available and need no preparation.

The other important factor is to identify the market. You can choose to have a big farm but you do not have a potential market for your goods. This will only lead to waste. Knowing where or whom to sell to first will ensure that all your products are sold, and you get good returns.

If you are still not sure that you can do this on your own, it is recommendable that you try to consult from friends who have made it in the business. There are also available companies that deal with mushroom farm that offer the basics and solutions to mushroom farming. You will be advised on ways to deal with insect infestation and thin fruiting.

It is also important to have sufficient space in your farm for this kind of farming. This is to mean that there should be good conditions for mushroom growth because they need enough room and cool temperatures.

When selling mushrooms you can try by selling at retail rather than wholesale. This is a faster way of making money. You can sell to grocery owners, restaurants and directly to markets.

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