Imagine finding a basket overflowing with those nutty, honeycomb-shaped Morel mushrooms right in your own backyard. Doesn’t that sound like a forager’s dream? For many mushroom lovers, that dream feels far away. Getting your hands on fresh Morels can be tough; they are rare and expensive in stores. Trying to grow them yourself seems like the perfect answer, but then you face a new challenge: which growing kit should you actually buy?
The market is flooded with kits promising easy harvests, but many leave buyers confused or disappointed. You worry about wasting money on a kit that simply won’t work. How do you spot the reliable ones from the risky bets? This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what makes a Morel growing kit successful and what features you must look for before you spend a dime.
By the end of this post, you will know the secrets to picking a high-quality Morel kit that gives you the best chance for a delicious homegrown harvest. Let’s dive into finding the perfect starter kit for your mushroom adventure!
Top Morel Mushroom Growing Kit Recommendations
- Fresh True Morel Spores in sawdust carrier. Apx 40 grams Grow Morel Mushrooms in your yard or garden. Start any time of year with spores as long as dirt is not frozen! Create your own Morel mushroom forest!
- Sawdust spawn is per-inoculated with fresh morel mushroom spores. Just pour kit in 5 gallons of filtered/rain water and set for 24 hours, then pour water into the best spot you can think of. Morels are a gourmet prize that were once limited to those willing to trek through in the forest in search of these harbingers of spring.
- Now you can start your own patch and know exactly where they will be.No more hunting, just picking!
- 30-40 grams of Inoculated Sawdust
- GROW MORELS IN YOUR BACKYARD - Our MOREL HABITAT KIT allows you to grow Morchella esculenta (White Morel Mushroom) in your garden or backyard. Enjoy fresh, gourmet morels each spring, without the need for foraging or hunting, and create your own personal mushroom garden. Morel spawn may be held in the refrigerator for up to six months.
- RESPONSIBLE GROWING SYSTEM - Designed for gardeners who value conscientious practices, this kit promotes mushroom cultivation using traditional methods. It may take two growing seasons to start producing mushrooms, making it an excellent choice for those who want to grow morels in a mindful and responsible way, right in your own backyard.
- WORKS IN ANY SOIL TYPE - Whether you’re in the Midwest, Pacific Northwest, or any other region of the U.S., our kit thrives in any soil with proper care. It’s a great choice for areas with a distinct winter-to-spring transition, ensuring your morel garden grows beautifully year after year.
- COMPLETE GROWING PACKAGE - The MOREL HABITAT KIT includes everything you need to start your own Morel mushroom garden: spawn, sterilized substrate, and detailed instructions. Set up your garden in a space as small as 4-5 sq. ft., up to 16 sq. ft., and grow fresh mushrooms season after season.
- FAMILY-OWNED & MADE IN THE USA - With over 38 years of expertise, our family-run business has been helping customers grow morel mushrooms since 1989. We’re proud to offer a product that’s made in the USA, giving you the opportunity to cultivate your own morels. It may take two growing seasons to start producing mushrooms.
- Clean and vigorous Yelloow mushroom mycelium liquid culture
- 10ml per syringe
- GROW MORELS IN YOUR BACKYARD - Our MOREL HABITAT KIT allows you to grow Morchella esculenta (White Morel Mushroom) in your garden or backyard. Enjoy fresh, gourmet morels each spring, without the need for foraging or hunting, and create your own personal mushroom garden. NEW CUSTOM MOREL STICKER – Every sticker is made of durable premium weatherproof vinyl that is able to withstand exposure to wind, rain and sunlight.
- RESPONSIBLE GROWING SYSTEM - Designed for gardeners who value conscientious practices, this kit promotes mushroom cultivation using traditional methods. It may take two growing seasons to start producing mushrooms, making it an excellent choice for those who want to grow morels in a mindful and responsible way, right in your own backyard.
- WORKS IN ANY SOIL TYPE - Whether you’re in the Midwest, Pacific Northwest, or any other region of the U.S., our kit thrives in any soil with proper care. It’s a great choice for areas with a distinct winter-to-spring transition, ensuring your morel garden grows beautifully year after year. Morel spawn may be held in the refrigerator for up to six months.
- COMPLETE GROWING PACKAGE - The MOREL HABITAT KIT includes everything you need to start your own Morel mushroom garden: spawn, sterilized substrate, and detailed instructions. Set up your garden in a space as small as 4-5 sq. ft., up to 16 sq. ft., and grow fresh mushrooms season after season.
- FAMILY-OWNED & MADE IN THE USA - With over 38 years of expertise, our family-run business has been helping customers grow morel mushrooms since 1989. We’re proud to offer a product that’s made in the USA, giving you the opportunity to cultivate your own morels. It may take two growing seasons to start producing mushrooms.
- All inclusive kit
- Full Instructions
- Small Farmed Business Product
- Made in the USA
- Organic all natural
- 100% ORGANIC AND NON-GMO: There's no need to worry about intoxicants that may hinder your plant's growth because the Back to the Roots Mushroom Growing Kit is completely organic and not genetically modified; You can cook them however you want or add them to your favorite dishes
- GROW YOUR PLANT ALL YEAR-ROUND: This organic mushroom indoor kit allows you to grow your own crop all-year round; Just place the box near a window with indirect light, mist twice a day, and you'll see delicious, beautiful mushrooms growing within a week; Included in this kit is an organic plant-based soil infused with mushroom spawn and a booklet with instructions
- CONVENIENT AND EASY: Mushrooms are one of the easiest to grow indoors; All you need to do is open, spray daily with the included mister, and in 10 days you'll be harvesting your own mushrooms right out of the box; Each crop produces three to four servings of mushrooms, and each box can grow up two crops
- THE PERFECT GIFT: The perfect holiday gift, it comes in a beautiful packaging so that it's ready to be given to foodie, garden-loving and eco-conscious friends and family; This kit is also part of our Grow One Give One campaign, simpy share a picture on social media, tag us and use the campaign hashtag, and we'll donate a kit to a classroom of your choice
- GUARANTEED TO GROW: Made in the USA and 100% Guaranteed to grow. If you are not satisfied, simply message us and we will send you a Back To The Roots replacement
- NUMBER OF SEEDS - The waterproof package of seeds includes 100 seeds
- GIFT - Get creative with your gift ideas! If you're feeling stumped when it comes to gift ideas, here are a no-fail client gifts. Give the gift of learning! Instead of quickly consumed snacks or trinkets, give your friends an experience they’ll always remember
- GROWING TIPS - Dig into your new gardening adventure with our growing guide to help you make the most of your landscape. But if you're new to gardening, it can be difficult to know where to start. Still, it doesn't have to be complicated; when you break your project down into manageable steps, you can ease into gardening at your own pace. Tired of long texts of growing instructions? Enjoy our easy and clear steps that will help you get started from scratch
- WHAT ARE RAISE UP ME SEEDS - High germination rate and vigor; Optimal moisture content; Free from objectionable weed seeds; Genetically pure; Fast and uniform emergence of seedling; Optimum size and shape
- CONTACT US - How can we help you today? You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers on anything
The Ultimate Morel Mushroom Growing Kit Buying Guide
Morel mushrooms are delicious and hard to find in the wild. A growing kit lets you bring the forest flavor right into your home! Buying the right kit makes a big difference in your success. Here is what you need to know before you buy.
Key Features to Look For
When choosing a kit, look for these important things. These features help ensure you get a good harvest.
- Spawn Quality: The spawn is like the mushroom’s “seed.” High-quality, fully colonized spawn means a better chance of mushrooms growing. Look for kits advertising fresh or certified spawn.
- Substrate Type: The substrate is what the mushrooms eat. Most good morel kits use hardwood sawdust or a specialized mix. Check that the substrate is fully packed and appears healthy (often white or light-colored from mycelium growth).
- Yield Guarantee (or expectation): Some companies offer a small guarantee or state the expected yield. This gives you an idea of how much you might harvest.
- Ease of Use: Since you are a beginner, choose a kit that requires minimal special equipment. Simple instructions are a huge plus!
Important Materials Included in the Kit
A good kit should come with everything necessary to start growing immediately. You shouldn’t have to run to the hardware store right away.
What Should Be in the Box?
- Growing Medium/Block: This is the main block containing the substrate and the mushroom mycelium.
- Instructions: Clear, step-by-step instructions are vital. Pictures help a lot!
- Spray Bottle (Sometimes): Humidity is key for morels. Some kits include a small mister to help you keep the environment moist.
- Outer Container or Bag: This helps maintain the necessary humidity level during the incubation and fruiting phases.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Mushroom Quality
Growing morels is tricky. The environment you provide greatly affects the final product.
Boosting Your Harvest Quality:
- Humidity Control: Morels need high humidity (around 85-95%) to pop up. Keep the area misted regularly.
- Temperature Consistency: Most morels fruit best when temperatures are slightly cool, usually between 55°F and 70°F (13°C to 21°C). Avoid placing the kit near hot vents or cold drafts.
- Fresh Air Exchange (FAE): Mushrooms breathe oxygen! Make sure the growing area gets a little fresh air every day. Too little air reduces quality.
What Can Ruin Your Kit?
- Contamination: If you see green, black, or fuzzy mold that isn’t the white mycelium, your kit is likely contaminated. This happens if the kit was opened too early or if the room is dirty.
- Drying Out: If the block dries out completely, the mushrooms will stop growing. Never let the surface look dry or cracked.
- Direct Sunlight: Strong, direct sun will cook the delicate mycelium and prevent fruiting. Keep the kit in indirect light.
User Experience and Use Cases
Morel kits offer a fun, educational experience. They are perfect for several different people.
Who Should Buy a Morel Kit?
- The Curious Cook: If you love gourmet food and want the freshest possible ingredients, this is for you.
- Science Enthusiasts/Educators: Kits are great tools for teaching about mycology (the study of fungi).
- Apartment Dwellers: You can grow these without needing a yard or outdoor space, as long as you control the indoor environment.
The typical user experience involves setting up the block, waiting a few weeks for the mycelium to colonize the surface, and then shocking the block (usually by moving it to a cooler spot or misting heavily) to encourage mushrooms to sprout. Be patient; success usually takes several weeks.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Morel Growing Kits
Q: How long does it take for morels to grow after I set up the kit?
A: It usually takes about 3 to 6 weeks from the time you start the process until you see the first tiny mushrooms, called “pins.”
Q: Can I grow morels year-round?
A: Yes, you can often get one or two flushes (harvests) indoors, but they are sensitive to specific temperature changes that happen naturally outside in spring.
Q: Do I need to refrigerate my kit before I start growing?
A: Some kits require refrigeration (cold stratification) for a short time to “wake up” the spawn. Always check your specific kit’s instructions!
Q: Why are my mushrooms turning black instead of yellow or gray?
A: Blackening often means the mushrooms are old, drying out, or that contamination is setting in. Harvest them as soon as they look fully formed.
Q: Do I need special light for the mushrooms to grow?
A: Morels do not need bright light to grow, but they need some indirect ambient light so they know which way to grow upwards.
Q: Can I eat the mushrooms if they look a little strange?
A: If you see any green or blue mold, throw the entire block away immediately. When in doubt, do not eat it. Healthy morels should look normal.
Q: How often should I spray water on the block?
A: During the fruiting phase, you should mist the surface several times a day to maintain high humidity, but avoid soaking the block directly.
Q: What do I do after I harvest the first batch of morels?
A: Some kits can produce a second, smaller flush. Continue to keep the block moist and at the right temperature to see if more appear.
Q: Are morel kits messy to use indoors?
A: They can be slightly messy because you are dealing with damp substrate. It is best to keep the kit inside a large plastic tote or tray to catch any moisture or stray substrate.
Q: Are all morel kits the same species of mushroom?
A: No. Some kits grow Yellow Morels (Morchella esculenta), and others try to grow Black Morels (Morchella elata). The growing requirements can be slightly different for each type.
Melody Smith is a passionate writer, outdoor enthusiast, and camping expert based in the Seattle Metropolitan Area. With a deep love for nature and adventure, she shares her personal experiences, tips, and insights on MyCampingPro.com. A seasoned camper and traveler, Melody combines her creative background in design and writing with her love for the great outdoors, offering practical advice and inspiring stories to help others make the most of their outdoor experiences. When she’s not exploring the wilderness, you can find her painting, collecting vintage treasures, or diving into a good book.