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Mushroom Cultivation 101: The Mushroom Miniseries: Best of Growing Joy Replay

Mushroom Cultivation 101: The Mushroom Miniseries: Best of Growing Joy Replay

Author: Maria Failla- Happy Plant Lady and Author of Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness April 23, 2026 Duration: 56:42
Growing Joy with Plants - Wellness Rooted in Nature, Houseplants, Gardening and Plant Care
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Did you know mushrooms aren’t actually plants, but a completely different kingdom that plays a huge role in soil health, plant health, and the success of your indoor and outdoor garden?

This is the third episode in our Mushroom Mini Series, and this week we’re having a high-level conversation all about what mushrooms are, how fungi and mycelium work, and why they matter so much for plant parents and anyone interested in holistic plant care.

Louis from North Spore joins me and my husband Billy for a really fun conversation about the underground “wood wide web,” how mushrooms support your garden ecosystem, and why understanding fungi can completely change the way you think about gardening, mushrooms in soil, and growing mushrooms at home.

I hope this conversation helps you better understand the hidden life in your soil and inspires you to look at mushrooms, plant care, and your garden in a whole new way.

 

In this episode, we learn:

  • [05:42] What is it like being a mushroom farmer?
  • [06:40] Multiple harvests from the grow kits through proper moisture management
  • [08:51] Debunking magic mushroom misconceptions
  • [2:44] Billy and Maria’s positive experiences with Lion's mane mushroom
  • [14:34] How do you grow mushrooms indoors?
  • [14:44] #1 Spray & Grow Kits (The perfect beginner species!)
  • [18:02] #2 Fruiting Blocks
  • [19:17] Where can you get premium quality growlights?
  • [21:05] Where can you find delightful wind chimes that make for a perfect gift choice?
  • [22:23] #3 Martha Tents (aka North Spore’s Boom Room)
  • [25:36] How do you avoid mold with a Martha tent?
  • [28:18] What's the ideal humidity level on the humidistat for the fruiting blocks?
  • [30:39] What comprises a fruiting block and what goes into making it?
  • [32:17] How do you distinguish spawns versus spores?
  • [37:13] How do you pasteurize something?
  • [37:58] What would be three great beginner mushrooms to start in a grow tent?
  • [40:09] Economics of mushroom cultivation
  • [42:26] Can a Martha tent enable a wider range of mushroom growth compared to a mono tub?
  • [43:21] #3 Mono tub
  • [50:22] What are the two substrates of Nameko mushrooms?
  • [54:23] Who is North Spore?

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

 

Feeling a little more mushroom curious after this episode?

Check out the full show notes and blog for fungi basics and growing tips!

 

Follow North Spore

Louis' LinkedIn

Website

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YouTube

Facebook

TikTok

 

 

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants)by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

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There’s a quiet, accessible kind of wellness waiting for you on a windowsill or in a patch of soil. Growing Joy with Plants explores that very idea, moving beyond basic tips to examine how our relationship with the natural world directly nurtures our mental and emotional health. Hosted by Maria Failla, a self-proclaimed Happy Plant Lady and author of "Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness," this podcast feels like a warm conversation with a knowledgeable friend. Maria guides you through the practicalities of keeping your houseplants alive and thriving, but the discussion always circles back to the deeper connection-how the simple acts of watering, repotting, or simply observing growth can become anchors of calm in a hectic day. Each episode digs into how gardening and engaging with nature, even in small urban spaces, offer tangible tools to manage feelings of anxiety and overwhelm. This isn't about achieving a perfect indoor jungle; it's about finding moments of peace and genuine happiness through the process of care. The underlying message throughout the podcast is a powerful and gentle reminder: tending to your plants is fundamentally an act of tending to yourself. You’ll come away with not just better plant care knowledge, but a refreshed perspective on cultivating joy in your daily routine, learning that the serenity you might seek on vacation can be rooted right in your own home.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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Growing Joy with Plants - Wellness Rooted in Nature, Houseplants, Gardening and Plant Care
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