Allow 5-10 cm space between the blocks and try to maintain the above conditions for relative air humidity and temperature. The first flush of
mushrooms should be ready to harvest about 10-12 days after opening the bags. The correct harvesting time has been reached when the skin underneath the cap has broken open and the fins of the mushroom are visible but the edge of
the cap is still slightly rolled over.To harvest, remove the mushrooms from the blocks by twisting them out. Make sure there are no remains of mushroom stems in the blocks because they will probably start to grow mould after a
few days. Use a knife to cut out the stems if necessary. A typical harvest for the first flush is 150-200g of fresh mushrooms per block.
If the air humidity has been maintained correctly, the surface of the blocks should start
to turn brown about one week after opening the bags, and should turn medium to dark brown after 3-4 weeks. The formation of a hard brown external skin on the blocks is necessary since otherwise the blocks dry out too quickly and
can easily be contaminated by mould, which will impairs mushroom growth.
About 2-3 weeks after harvesting the first flush, fully immerse the blocks for one day in cold water to induce the formation of new fruiting bodies. The
mushrooms of the second flush should be ready for harvesting after about 10-12 days. The second harvest should yield 100-150 g of fresh mushrooms per block. Proceed in the same way to induce third, fourth and fifth harvests. It
should be possible to harvest 150 g fresh mushrooms in the third flush and 50-100g mushrooms in the fourth flush. A fifth harvest is only worthwhile if you have plenty of space available and don't need the space for fresh blocks.
After the harvesting is finished the blocks can be put on the compost.
