How to Grow Truffles

Truffles are the black edible mushrooms that grow on the roots of certain European trees. While truffles may look (and smell) like dung, they are gourmet delicacies that fetch more than their weight in gold on the open market. Growing truffles is tricky but their flavor and value makes it worthwhile.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Buy special hazelnut tree seeds that have been treated with the truffle fungus and are much more likely than regular trees to grow the fungus. You can buy about a hundred seeds for a little more than $1,000 at truffle specialty stores such as Garland's Gourmet Mushrooms & Truffles.

2. Pick out a spot for the hazelnut trees that is protected from extreme weather, foraging animals, flooding and other vegetation. Also make sure that the truffle zone isn't too close to other trees that might be affected by the growing conditions needed for the truffles.

3. Do a pH test of the soil you plan to plant in by placing a sample of the soil in a jar and adding an equal amount of white vinegar to the soil. If the mixture hisses lightly then the soil is not alkaline enough for the truffles to grow. Gradually add lime to increase the alkaline levels.

4. Plant the hazelnuts and wait to see large bulges in the ground around the tree after half a year. As you wait for the telltale bulges, fend off other vegetation (except for hazelnut trees) from encroaching on the truffle growing area.