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If you love gardening but feel bored with the same old tomato-and-basil routine, “other” seeds and novelty grow kits are a breath of fresh air. These are the quirky, unusual, and often educational items that turn a windowsill into a conversation starter — think mushroom coffee kits, edible flowers, heirloom varieties, and tiny tropicals you wouldn’t expect to grow indoors. They’re perfect whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned gardener looking to experiment.
Menkind has carved a niche selling fun, novelty, and lifestyle gadgets — and the Ready To Grow Mushroom Coffee Kit in Grey Oyster is a great example. It’s designed for folks who want to experience home-grown fungi without the fuss of full-scale mushroom farming. The kit usually arrives ready to fruit, so you can see results quickly and enjoy the tiny thrill of harvesting your first crop.
Most kits include an inoculated block or substrate, simple instructions, and a humidity-friendly grow bag or tray. You might also get a small stand or cover to maintain humidity. These kits are made to reduce guesswork, so you don’t need special gear — only a spot that stays around the recommended temperature and some patience.
Grey Oyster mushrooms are forgiving and fast-fruiting, which makes them ideal for beginners. They produce meaty caps with a mild flavor that works in coffee blends, cooking, or as an interesting addition to your morning brew. If you’re curious about the intersection of culinary adventure and home cultivation, this is a low-barrier place to start.
At heart, these kits simplify what commercial growers do: provide inoculated substrate, the right moisture, and the correct airflow. After unpacking, you typically mist or soak according to directions, place the block where it gets indirect light, and maintain humidity until pins form. In ideal conditions, you’ll see small mushroom pins appear in a few days and harvest within 1 to 3 weeks.
Most oyster kits like a steady, cool-to-mild environment — roughly 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit — with indirect light. Keep humidity high by misting or using the provided cover. Think of it like keeping a tiny tropical cloud for your mushrooms: moist, gentle, and cozy.
“Other” seeds can encompass a wide range of things beyond vegetable staples. Here are a few that inspire experimentation:
Microgreens sprout fast and pack an intense flavor punch. They only need a shallow tray and a sunny windowsill; expect harvests in 7 to 21 days. They’re ideal if you want rapid gratification and big flavor from a small footprint.
Heirloom seeds preserve taste and diversity. These varieties might take a bit more patience but reward you with flavours and textures you won’t find in supermarkets. They’re perfect if you care about heritage and biodiversity.
Sundews, Venus flytraps, and some tropicals are in the “other” bucket for many sellers. They require particular conditions — humidity and feeding routines — but they’re spectacular conversation pieces and learning tools.
While Menkind is highlighted for novelty kits like mushroom coffee, other UK stores specialise in seeds, heritage varieties, and more technical kits. Here are reliable options to explore:
Menkind is a go-to for lifestyle-focused kits and novelty grow items. Their mushroom coffee kit is a good example of a ready-to-grow product aimed at an audience who values fun and ease over agricultural scale.
Thompson & Morgan is a stalwart in the UK seed market, well-known for a broad range of seeds from edibles to ornamentals. They’re a strong choice if you want rare cultivars or reliable heirloom varieties with good growing guides.
Suttons and Dobies both offer comprehensive seed catalogues and kits. If you prefer mailed catalogues and time-tested varieties, these brands bring decades of experience and a trustworthy reputation.
Mr Fothergill’s is another respected supplier, especially for vegetable seeds and kitchen-garden mixes. Their quality control tends to be solid, and they often highlight newer or trialled varieties that hobby gardeners enjoy testing.
High-street chains like B&Q, Homebase, and Wilko carry accessible seed packs and some novelty kits. These are convenient when you want to pick up a kit on the same day and don’t need specialist advice.
Amazon UK offers a wide selection, including small independent sellers and international brands. Specialist online retailers and dedicated mushroom suppliers also sell higher-grade kits and spawn for growers who want to go beyond a single-use kit.
Choosing is part practical and part personality. Ask yourself: are you after a quick harvest, a decorative plant, or a learning experience? For quick wins, microgreen trays and mushroom kits shine. For long-term projects, heirlooms and rare seeds are more satisfying. Read product descriptions for difficulty level, expected yield, and required space.
Cheap seed packets are great for experimenting, but if you want better germination rates and clear instructions, consider paying a bit more for reputable brands. Kits from known sellers often include quality control and better substrate or seed selection.
Measure your indoor light in a practical way: windowsill hours of unobstructed light and how much room you have in inches or feet. Microgreens need only a shallow tray an inch or two deep, while taller seedlings may require a foot or more of vertical space.
Seeds are living things and they last longer the cooler and drier you keep them. Store seeds in airtight containers in a cool cupboard or, for longer-term storage, a refrigerator set around 40 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. Label packets with the purchase date and expected viability, and keep humidity low to avoid mould.
If seeds are old, do a quick germination test: wet a paper towel, sprinkle 10 seeds, fold, place in a bag, and keep in a warm spot for several days. Count how many sprout to estimate real-world germination rates for your planting plan.
Want your garden to be kinder to the planet? Choose organic seeds when possible, support companies that save and share heirloom varieties, and avoid invasive plant species. Look for companies that use recyclable packaging and transparent sourcing. Seed swaps and community exchanges are great ways to increase diversity without adding new packaging waste.
Heirlooms are open-pollinated and great for saving seeds year after year. Hybrids often bring disease resistance and larger yields but don’t reliably breed true if you save seeds. If you like self-sufficiency, heirloom varieties are the way to go.
You don’t need a garden plot to play with unusual seeds. Use vertical shelving, stackable trays, and simple grow lights. LED strips are energy-efficient and can be placed a few inches above plants. Think in terms of trays and inches: microgreens need 1 to 2 inches of growing medium, while most seedlings require 3 to 6 inches of root space to get established.
Over-watering is the most common indoor mistake. Use a spray bottle for microgreens and mushroom kits, and water seedlings from the bottom if possible. Maintain humidity for mushrooms and some tropicals by using covers or humidity trays, mimicking a small greenhouse in a few square feet.
Got slow germination, mould, or leggy seedlings? Slow germination often means seeds need more warmth or moisture. Mould results from poor airflow or excess humidity — lift covers, space seedlings, or use a small fan on low. Leggy seedlings indicate they need more light; move them closer to a bright window or add a grow light a few inches above.
Spider mites, aphids, and fungus gnats can show up indoors too. Use hand removal, gentle soapy sprays, or sticky traps for gnats. For kits and mushrooms, cleanliness is crucial: always start with clean hands, tools, and surfaces to reduce contamination risk.
Some specialty seeds may be regulated, and certain fungi cultivation might have legal or safety considerations depending on the strain. The Grey Oyster mushroom kits typically sold for culinary use are safe and legal, but always check local rules before buying anything unusual. When foraging or experimenting with wild varieties, use authoritative identification guides — never consume anything you haven’t positively identified.
Before clicking buy, run through a quick checklist: Do you have the space measured in inches or feet? Is the expected effort reasonable for your schedule? Have you read user reviews for germination and user experience? Does the kit or seed packet include clear instructions? If you’re starting simple, pick one kit that promises a reliable harvest so you build confidence for more adventurous projects.
Diving into the world of “other” seeds and kits — from Menkind’s Grey Oyster mushroom coffee kit to heirloom vegetable seeds or exotic carnivores — is a rewarding way to expand your gardening horizons. These products let you experiment without committing to a full garden overhaul, and they teach practical skills fast. Whether you want the novelty of growing fungi for a unique cup of coffee or the satisfaction of saving heirloom seeds, the UK market has plenty to offer. Pick a reputable supplier, match the kit to your space, and enjoy the tiny miracles that come from a little soil, a little patience, and a lot of curiosity.
| Seeds - Other | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Ready To Grow Mushroom Coffee Kit - Grey Oyster | £ 15,- |
