An Irrational Fear...

To be completely honest, the idea of growing mushrooms freaks me out.  It could be the fear of accidentally eating something that's horribly toxic, but I trace a good deal of my paranoia back to a particularly memorable episode of the X-Files (which, if you're interested, featured a mushroom that extended for more than ten acres underground and digested human bodies).

Irrational thinking in both cases, I know.  Especially considering I love to eat mushrooms: sauteed, grilled, roasted, in an omelet, you name it.

Which is why I'm considering taking one of the mushroom growing classes being held this spring out at Sharondale Farm.  Two different classes — Growing Mushrooms at Home and Got Mushroom? — designed to teach the fungi-novice the basics of life cycles and ecology, as well as cultivation techniques (either indoor or outdoor, depending on the class).

If you've ever dreamed of inoculating your own log with spores or harvesting your own crop of oyster mushrooms, now's your chance!  Classes are open to the public, but on a first come, first serve basis.  $25 reserves your spot!



image credit: benketaro/Creative Commons