Willoughby Arevalo grew up near the redwoods of northern California and developed an interest in mushrooms at an early age. He became so proficient at gathering edible, wild mushroom, that they were an important of his student diet while at Humboldt State University. More recently, he moved to Vancouver, BC, developing his skill at growing his own mushrooms in an indoor space of only 100 square feet.
He shares his expertise in “DIY Mushroom Cultivation,” taking the reader well beyond mushroom growing kits to starting an active hobby that provides a delicious and healthful food source. Intended for those with little space, the author is very thorough in taking the beginner through all the steps of securing or making necessary equipment, acquiring mushroom tissue or spores, and what to use for substrate – including yard waste and even your junk mail! Additional chapters address outdoor culture, and a selection of the best species for home growers.
Excerpted from the Fall 2020 issue of the Arboretum Bulletin