Yes, you can absolutely use an outdoor plant box for a mushroom garden! Mushrooms thrive in controlled environments, and a plant box provides the perfect space to manage moisture, shade, and substrate conditions. Here’s how to get started:

1. Choose the Right Box: Opt for a wooden or plastic plant box with good drainage. Avoid treated wood, as chemicals can harm mushrooms.

2. Prepare the Substrate: Fill the box with a nutrient-rich substrate like straw, sawdust, or compost, depending on the mushroom species.

3. Inoculate with Spawn: Mix mushroom spawn into the substrate and cover it with a damp cloth or cardboard to retain moisture.

4. Maintain Ideal Conditions: Keep the box in a shaded, humid spot. Mist regularly to prevent drying out.

5. Harvest: Most mushrooms will fruit within a few weeks. Harvest them when caps are fully open but before they release spores.

With minimal effort, an outdoor plant box can become a productive mushroom garden, offering fresh fungi for cooking or selling. Happy growing!