North Spore

08/05/2025

Mushrooms grow from mycelium, the living root-like network of fungi. In a bucket setup, the mycelium is mixed with pasteurized straw, which acts as the growing medium. Over a couple of weeks, the mycelium fully colonizes the straw and the mushrooms fruit from the holes when environmental conditions are right.

If you want to try it yourself, our MushBucket kit makes it easy. It comes with:

-A reusable bucket (pre-drilled for airflow and fruiting)
-Straw with a burlap sack for water pasteurization
-Live mushroom spawn (you choose the variety of oyster)

Here's the full MushBucket walkthrough: https://northspore.com/products/mushbucket

📷: (on Instagram)

08/04/2025

Plant & Grow Fruiting Blocks are amended sawdust blocks inoculated with mushroom mycelium that are ready to be buried and grow directly in your yard or garden 🌱

Mushroom mycelium adds nutrients to the soil, and most Plant & Grow blocks will fruit in 2-3 weeks. They can grow several times depending on environmental conditions, and sometimes can fruit for over a year!

Here’s a Blue Oyster Plant & Grow block in the garden - you can grow different kinds of Oyster mushrooms, as well as Reishi, Pioppino, Nameko, and Chestnut.

Save 20% on all fruiting blocks with code BLOCKPARTY at checkout: https://northspore.com/collections/plant-grow-mushroom-garden-blocks

08/02/2025

Throwback to one of our favorite photos - (on Instagram) buried these Pink Oyster fruiting blocks in specific spots, adding a beautiful and delicious myco-touch to the yard.

Our “Plant & Grow” fruiting blocks are super easy to use - you just dig a hole deep enough for the block, then cover the top with mulch or straw to keep it from drying out. Most blocks grow in about 2-3 weeks (depending on the species and weather), and can fruit several times throughout the year - even for years!

Learn more about fruiting blocks here: https://northspore.com/blogs/the-black-trumpet/how-to-use-a-mushroom-fruiting-block-kit

08/01/2025

07/31/2025

At Mycology Outside 2025​, we're excited to be joined (and cooked for) by our friend Will Levatino. He's a chef, fisherman, forager, and the force behind Brooklyn’s Greenpoint Fish & Lobster​. With 30 years in the restaurant industry, Will is known for turning underutilized species, off-cuts, and hyper-local ingredients into culinary magic. Catch him ​at Mycology Outside sharing his passion for sustainable wild foods just like he does on his YouTube channel Cooking with Clams​! (https://www.youtube.com/c/CookingWithClams)

Learn more about Mycology Outside and grab your tickets here: https://northspore.com/pages/mycology-outside-mushroom-weekend-event

07/30/2025

At Psychedelic Science 2025, one of the most powerful talks wasn’t about depression or PTSD - it was about IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).

Dr. Erin Mauney of Mass General shared groundbreaking research exploring mushroom-assisted therapy for gut disorders shaped by trauma and nervous system dysregulation. Could psychedelics help reset the gut-brain axis for millions with chronic GI issues?

Read more here: https://northspore.substack.com/p/psilocybin-therapy-for-ibs

07/29/2025

Who’s coming to our Block Party?

For the next couple of weeks, we’re going to be highlighting one of the easiest kits for beginners to dip their toes in the proverbial mycelial web: Fruiting Blocks!

Fruiting blocks are amended sawdust blocks inoculated with mushroom mycelium - “Plant & Grow” fruiting blocks can be buried in your yard or garden. They help nourish your soil, and grow quickly - typically in about 2-3 weeks.

You can also grow fruiting blocks indoors - using a grow chamber like a BoomRoom tent or Boomr Bin monotub can be helpful for setting up the perfect environment for the mushrooms - but some can also be grown right on your kitchen counter.

Save 20% on all fruiting blocks here: https://northspore.com/pages/limited-time-offers

07/27/2025

Can microdosing mushrooms support brain health?

Supporters of the “Stamets Stack” - a combination of active mushrooms, Lion’s Mane, and niacin - suggest it may promote cognitive function, improve mood, and support overall neurological well-being. While early research and anecdotal reports are promising, experts caution that more scientific studies are needed to fully understand its potential benefits. Could this be a step forward in mental wellness, or is it simply too soon to tell?

Learn more here: https://northspore.substack.com/p/what-is-the-stamets-stack-and-does

07/26/2025

Ever thought about turning your mushroom hobby into a full-blown business?

North Spore co-founder Matt McInnis shares five honest lessons from the early days of building a mushroom company from a Craigslist outbuilding to a 70+ person operation. From DIY grow rooms to missed coffee trends, it’s a candid look at the pivots, pitfalls, and practical tips that helped North Spore grow.

Check it out here: https://northspore.substack.com/p/5-tips-for-making-a-successful-mushroom

07/25/2025

Sometimes in your mid-summer foraging class, you hit the jackpot!

A bold, bright orange mushroom that grows in shelf-like clusters on trees, especially oaks, Chicken of the Woods is known for its meaty texture and savory flavor, it's one of the easiest wild mushrooms to identify, making it a great intro species for new foragers. It contains no gills and typically has a smooth or slightly wrinkled underside. Just make sure to cook it thoroughly and harvest young, tender specimens for the best texture and taste.

Learn more about Chicken of the Woods here: https://northspore.com/blogs/the-black-trumpet/how-to-find-identify-and-cook-chicken-of-the-woods-mushrooms

07/24/2025

So who else should you get amped up to see at Mycology Outside 2025? Well our friend Jasper Degenaars from Fungi Academy!

Jasper is an ambassador to the Kindom of the Fungi and has dedicated his life to the sharing and growing of Fungal Wisdom. It all started over 13 years ago when he embarked on a journey to decipher the growing of active mushrooms. Since 2019 he has committed his full time and awareness in service to nurturing the connection between people and the Fungal Kindom.

Through radiating passion and inspiration evoked from his many years of traveling the world, Jasper has co-created 20+ educational experiences, online courses, and retreats that cultivated diverse communities of learners, empowering them to explore the symbiotic relationship between fungi, people, and their environments.

We can’t wait to see you September 5-7 in S**o, Maine!