Mushroom Foraging & Cultivation Weekend Course

Mushrooms have been growing wild since prehistoric times. Their therapeutic value has been prized in numerous cultures, for thousands of years. In the past few decades, mushrooms have become even more popular for their therapeutic qualities in the west as a result of an expanding body of scientific research supporting their numerous health benefits.

Come and join us for a weekend of mycology and mushrooms.

Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 June at Hawkwood Nursery

9:30am – 5:30pm both days

The weekend will begin with a guided foraging walk in the Essex countryside to give everyone a feel for wild fungi and foraging. Participants will learn the basics of identification of edible and poisonous mushrooms and plants*. Links between urban foraging, cultivation, ecology and health will be made. The day concludes with a cooking session and mushroom cultivation prep for the following day.

*Please note that though the walk is focused on fungi, and we do hope to come across some of the spring and summer mushrooms, this is not the peak season for fungi foraging and what grows is weather dependent. So we will widen the scope to include the many edible wild plants that are in season.

On the second day participants will learn the basics of mushroom cultivation. We will explore various techniques using grain, straw and wood for growing gourmet and medicinal mushrooms. This session will be a hands on experience for participants and will cover everything you need to know to get you started. Everyone will leave with mushroom spawn to get them started growing at home.

Please wear sturdy shoes and all weather gear for outdoor practical sessions.

Light refreshments will be provided, please bring a packed lunch or vegetarian contributions for a shared lunch.
The tutors are Ru Kenyon and Darren Springer from Organiclea.

Course fees: you can book for one or both days. Please specify when you book – Saturday, Sunday or both days.

The fee for one day is £60/ £40 / £20. Fee for both days is £100 /£70 / £35