The right tools and supplies are critical for a successful mushroom cultivation experience. From the initial stages of substrate preparation to the rewarding harvesting moments, having the proper tools will help you get off to a great start as a home cultivator. Mushroom cultivation supplies include sterile culture syringes, spore prints, and sterilized grain bags, as well as a few pieces of equipment like steamers and fans.

1.) Pre-sterilized Petri dishes
The first thing you will need is a set of pre-sterilized petri dishes to grow your cultures in. These are available in most lab supply stores for a very affordable price, and can save you a lot of time sterilizing them in a pressure cooker. These can also be purchased at most breweries or wineries, as they are typically used to inoculate beer and wine yeast cultures. Alternatively, you can use mason jars that are already sterilized in your fridge as an alternative to these dishes.

2.) Sterilized Grain Bags
A must-have for any mushroom grower, sterilized grain bags serve as a critical medium for mycelial expansion post-agar. These can be purchased from a variety of online retailers and can provide you with a cost-effective alternative to jars and other glass containers.

3.) Substrate
Substrate plays an important role in determining what nutrients the mycelium has access to. Having the right substrate formula can greatly increase your yield. Some popular options are straw or wood pellets that have been pasteurized using high heat and pressure. These can be found in a number of places, including at most farm and feed stores, as well as at some hardware and grocery stores.