Questions & answers
Products, orders, shipping and the arrival guarantee. Can't find your answer? Contact us and a real person replies within 1 business day.
Products & growing
What's the difference between grain spawn and substrate?
Grain spawn is sterilized grain that you inoculate with live mycelium of the mushroom you are growing. It's the starter the mycelium colonizes first. Substrate (our CV Prime blend) is the bulk material you mix colonized spawn into so the mushrooms can fruit. The kit includes both.
What can I grow with your products?
Our grain spawn works for practically every gourmet species: oyster, lion's mane, shiitake, reishi and more. CV Prime is a coir-based substrate, so it suits oyster varieties best and also works as a casing layer. Wood-loving species such as shiitake and lion's mane fruit best on hardwood sawdust, which we don't sell yet.
Which grain is in the bag?
The US menu uses sterilized milo (sorghum), a small round grain with lots of inoculation points. The UK menu uses whole oats. Both are fully hydrated and pressure-sterilized in a filter-patch bag with a self-healing injection port.
Do your products contain spores or cultures?
No. We sell sterilized grain, pasteurized substrate and the bags they come in. You supply the culture of the gourmet species you want to grow. Our products are not food and are not for human or animal consumption. See our intended use statement.
Do I need any equipment?
No autoclave or pressure cooker needed. Everything arrives sterilized or pasteurized and sealed. You'll want a clean space, a culture of your chosen species, and a way to hold fruiting humidity (a tub works). The Grow Dashboard walks you through each step.
How should I store my bags?
Cool and dark. Use grain spawn promptly for the best results; substrate keeps for several weeks sealed. Don't freeze.
Orders & payment
Why do I have to pick a region?
We pack in two places. The US bench ships 3 lb and 5 lb grain spawn and 5 lb and 10 lb CV Prime from California, priced in US dollars. The UK bench ships 1 kg oat grain spawn and 2.2 kg CV Prime within the United Kingdom, priced in pounds. Picking a region keeps the prices, weights and shipping right for you. Change it any time from the top bar.
How do I pay?
By card: Visa, Mastercard or American Express. Payments are processed by Stripe on a secure checkout and we never see or store your card number.
Can I cancel or change my order?
Yes, until it ships. Contact us with your order number and we'll update it or cancel it for a full refund. Once an order has shipped it can't be cancelled. Cancellation policy.
Shipping
Where do you ship?
US menu: all 50 states and Washington, DC. UK menu: the United Kingdom. We don't ship between the two regions or anywhere else yet.
How fast do you ship?
Most orders leave within 1 to 2 business days. US shipping is priced live at checkout by the carrier (usually UPS Ground); UK delivery is Royal Mail Tracked, £4.99 (or £9.99 for large parcels). Shipping policy.
Where's my order?
You'll get a tracking link by email as soon as it ships. You can also check Track your order with your order number and email.
Returns & the arrival guarantee
What if my bag arrives contaminated or damaged?
We replace it or refund it. Every bag is clean and sealed when it leaves us. If one shows up contaminated or damaged in transit, send a photo and your order number within 7 days of delivery. How to claim.
Can I return something I don't want?
Our bags are perishable, so opened or used bags can't be returned. If you have an unopened order you no longer want, contact us within 7 days of delivery. Returns and refunds.
How long do refunds take?
We process approved refunds within 2 business days. They go back to the card you paid with and usually show within 5 to 10 business days.