For background on The Mushroom Project, growing mushrooms at home, check this post.
The Mushroom Project:
OK, the Ayes have! The Mushroom Project got the green light. The bride (and editor-in-chief) was excited by the idea.
No rolling eyes, no OK if you want to I’ll play along just ’cause I love you…..This was genuine “lit up eyes” excitement! (Editor comment: I love working in the yard, stupid!)
Cool.
The Mushroom Project went from an idea to a goal.
The goal: grow mushrooms at home.
Secondary goal: Gourmet mushrooms at home at a reasonable price.
Stretch goal: Grow gourmet mushrooms and save money over store prices/quality.
Now what?
Mushroom Project Steps
We’re going to buy fungi spawn and raise them.
Becoming ‘spore spawn diddys’ (SSD) entail no adoption fees and there are no legal battles to be fought.
No one is going to turn up at our neighbor’s doors questioning our past or run our fingerprints through databases.
Nope, we just have to figure out how to get this project going.
Growing stuff background
We’ve grown rare, not found in the wild trees named for Benjamin Franklin (native to our area, but not too happy in our yard), common sun loving, heart warming, hardy zinnias, finicky (‘stop the car, what is that?) clematis, and stunningly gorgeous camellias.
Fungi spawn? SSD? Not on purpose. Though I used to make a pretty good ale years ago…
Project Starting Tips
Projects, large and small, come to fruition in the same way:
- Research. Even on tasks well-honed from years of experience, like growing those wonderful summer zinnias, we are open to new information. On any new project, time spent reading, checking with the experts, ‘studying on it’, is time well spent. A thorough and ongoing Google search is a necessity.
- Network-finding someone else that has ‘been there done that’ is a time and pain saver. They’ve made the mistakes. Ask around for advice. Luckily, a national audience here has already chimed in with helpful advice and contacts, and I’m sure more will come.
- Lists are golden with a new project.
For a tried and true task, the mental list may do the trick. If time is a factor, say you have to get the toilet back together before guests arrive for the weekend, spend extra prep time making sure you have every item required before you begin. For our SSD project, a careful list with easy eraser access (pencil or computer document) is a must.
- Cost Estimates. This is where research and an accurate list of necessary items are funneled into a budget reality. Bulk is better when your buying many things, small quantities is a better idea when you’re starting out. Compromise (almost) always wins the day. We will start small with this new adventure because we’re novices. Know what the cost will be. Your cost estimate will be accurate only if you have done a good job with the first two items in this list. If you’re pumped for a project, but the initial cost is too great-start small, or start slow. Buying a few items as you can. I know you’re excited, but remember the turtle usually wins. Also, as we are well known to do (especially the editor), substitute for something you already have, reduce and reuse.
- Timeline, with deadlines-Set a deadline to have the items amassed and to get started. SSD’s know there is a time lag from start to meal time. Getting started is the first requirement of having an end. With every project there will be parts you love and parts you hate. To prevent procrastination, set deadlines and stick to them. Don’t let a simple project become a disaster. Like that rotten tree that is leaning towards your home? The removal costs may seem ridiculous, but the physical danger to your family, and potential home repair costs are far far far greater after it falls and slices your roof in half.
- Get’er done.
We’re on our way. Lists are underway and the timeline is coming together. I won’t keep you in the dark-that’s for mushrooms, silly.
Reader Questions:
All you SSD’s (aka Mushroom Dads and Moms) out there there. Help us. Comments/Advice?
{photo credit: ivanwalsh c.c.}
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