This image is the cover for the book Mycelial Mayhem

Mycelial Mayhem

“A comprehensive and personal tome on the production, business, promotion, and problem solving for the independent mushroom grower.” —Taylor Lockwood, renowned mushroom expert & photographer

Most supermarket mushrooms are bland and boring; products of an industrial process which typically relies on expensive equipment and harmful pesticides. Many people would like to add more flavorful and diverse fungi to their diets, but lack the knowledge or confidence to gather or grow their own. Do-it-yourself cultivation is a fun, exciting way to incorporate a variety of mushrooms into a sustainable lifestyle.

Mycelial Mayhem is a straightforward, no-nonsense resource for the aspiring mushroom grower. This practical guide cuts through much of the confusion surrounding methods and techniques, helping the hobbyist or farmer to:Select regionally appropriate species for the home garden, farm-scale production, or an edible landscapePractice sustainable, environmentally friendly cultivation techniques, such as companion planting, to combat common garden pests and diseasesChoose a successful, proven business approach to maximize profit and minimize frustration

Many people find that DIY mushroom cultivation is not nearly as complicated as they expect, but a knowledgeable and experienced mentor is crucial to success. Whether your goal is to harvest homegrown gourmet mushrooms for your table, supplement your income by selling to friends and neighbors, or start a full-fledged niche business, Mycelial Mayhem is packed with the advice and resources you need to succeed with this rewarding and valuable crop.

“After reading Mycelial Mayhem’s approachable primer to this age-old art I’m ready to invite the mysterious and captivating kingdom of fungi right into my own home.” —Langdon Cook, author of The Mushroom Hunters

David Sewak, Kristin Sewak

David Sewak has worked in the conservation field for nearly two decades. David and Kristin are avid growers of edible mushrooms, heirloom vegetables, native landscape plants and sustainable landscape design and speak on mushroom gathering and indoor and outdoor cultivation techniques at regional and national green living events.

Kristin Sewak is the founder of Natural Biodiversity, a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring biodiversity within landscapes and involving people in environmental solutions. Kristin and David are avid growers of edible mushrooms, heirloom vegetables, native landscape plants and sustainable landscape design and speak on mushroom gathering and indoor and outdoor cultivation techniques at regional and national green living events.

New Society Publishers