Mushroom Growing Today – F. C. Atkins – Faber and Faber Ltd (UK) 1966 ISBN 9781111111113 – This is (needless to say) and old book and focuses on how to start a mushroom farm back in the 60s. Lots of good information but not the only book a backyard grower should have in their library. The book goes through production of the standard (Agaricus) mushroom in considerable detail, with a section on pests and diseases which is certainly NOT organic (DDT anyone?). The section on “Other Aspects” of mushroom growing is slanted towards commercial production, talking about economics, but also abnormalities seen in mushrooms. The very last few pages talk about mushrooms for the “country gentlemen” and the amateur gardener. Some B & W photos and a few line drawings.
Mushroom Growing for Everyone – Roy Genders – Faber and Faber Ltd (UK) 1982 ISBN 0 571 11806 2 – While being and old and not organic in the slightest book, this one is better suited to small scale production of agaricus mushrooms. It talks about setting up, obtaining raw materials, composting, making the beds, spawning and casing, growing mushrooms outside and pests, diseases and their control. I am not sure how the pests and diseases from this UK book would relate to AUS mushroom production. No illustrations.
The Mushroom Cultivator – Paul Stamets & J. S. Chilton – Agaricon Press (US) 1983 ISBN 978 0 9610798 0 2 – This immensely detailed book is a mine of information for anyone who wants to get into growing their own mushrooms, and Paul Stamets is the mushroom guru. I have tried to read this one cover to cover but I find it too technical and information dense for an amateur like me. It is a great reference book and well worth having on the shelf if you are serious about getting into mushroom production. It covers a wide range of fungi including lots I have never heard of and even includes how produce your own spawn. Lots of B & W photos, some line drawings and a colour photo section.
Mycelium Running – Paul Stamets – 10 Speed Press (US) 2005 ISBN 978 1 58008 579 3 – This is more a “Why to” than a how to, but part three of the book does give details on how to grow a variety of mushrooms, covering inoculation methods, substrates, gardening with gourmet and medicinal mushrooms and nutritional properties of mushrooms. Part one talks about the mycelial mind ie lifecycle and natural habitats of mushrooms and part two is about using fungi restore damaged ecosystems using mycofiltration, mycoforestry, mycoremediation and mycopesticides. Lots of colour photos.
Mycelial Mayhem – David and Kristen Sewak – New Society Publishers (CAN) 2016 ISBN 978 0 86571 814 2 – At last! A mushroom book for us beginners! The book covers the basic mechanics of mushrooms and anatomy, lifecycle etc, how to grow easy to hard mushrooms inside or outside. Mushroom gathering form the wild is discussed, which is obviously no applicable here in Aus. There is also advice from their experience in running a mushroom business as well. Lots of B & W photos, some line drawings and a colour photo section.
