Cathy Carruthers

The technology improved rapidly between 2009 and 2013.  I put a mini split ductless heat pump in my well insulated 2000 foot house in Tumwater WA.  I set the thermostat for the heat pump 3 degrees higher than the existing natural gas.  I saved about 30% on my heating bills in winter.
The guy who bought the house from me when I downsized says the gas only comes on 2 or 3 days each winter.  The kicker is, the DHP was sized for a 1000 square foot area.  It’s handled most of the house most of the time.

Blue Oyster mushrooms will grow on blackberry cane.  
I wish I could attach a picture.  It made nice big mushrooms.  It is slower than grain and wood chips.  But it does work.

My process.  
I shredded the cane.  
I mixed it with onion skins and coffee grounds it was about 1/2 cane and 1/2 other kitchen waste.  
     I put water in the bowl and microwaved it.  
Then I shredded a spent blue oyster mushroom kit.  
     I mixed the kit material 50/50 with the cooled wet cane mix.  It was damp not wet.
     I put it in a cleaned 1 gallon plastic bag (cleaned with bleach and a wet towel).  I used cotton balls in the opening for air.
When it had formed a nice firm block (3 weeks) I cut an X in the side and tented the block with another plastic bag.
I sprayed it with water 2 to 3 times a day.
It fruited at 4.5 weeks.

I have since added more material and it is still growing.
I hope to have enough growth to make a big box of cane and other garden materials to try outside in April.

Did it work?