It’s not too difficult to grow mushrooms in your garden. Some types of mushrooms will grow on compost and can be mixed directly into your beds. Some grow on straw, and others grow on wood. Here are some basic instructions for inoculating mushroom logs for your garden.
- Choose fairly fresh logs to use. They should not have any mold growing on the wood. Don’t use cedar or black walnut because they have anti-fungal properties. Oyster mushrooms will grow on soft wood, but many varieties prefer hardwood like oak or maple.
- Obtain wood-loving mushroom spawn from a local grower or online. Oyster mushrooms are probably the quickest and easiest to grow, though I also love growing wood ears and lion’s mane. The easiest type of spawn to use is called plug spawn and is just pieces of dowel rod that have mushrooms growing on them. To use sawdust or grain spawn you will need a special inoculation tool.
- Drill holes in the logs the size of your plug spawn or 1/2″ diameter and 1″ deep for sawdust or grain spawn. Holes should be about 3 inches apart all over the log.
- For plug spawn, just push the plugs into the holes and that’s it! For sawdust or grain spawn, use the inoculation tool to put the spawn in the holes and then seal over the top with melted wax to keep the spawn from drying or falling out.
- Put the logs on the ground in a cool, shaded location. Spray the logs with water occasionally, especially if it hasn’t rained in a week or more.
- Depending on the type of mushroom and your weather, it will take 3 to 6 months for the first mushrooms to fruit. If you get a small harvest the first time, don’t worry, it will keep producing more every time the weather is just right for several years. When the mushrooms start coming out of the log, mist them with a hose twice a day until they are mature. For oyster mushrooms, that is when the edges of the caps are unfurled.
Always cook mushrooms thoroughly before eating. Saute them in oil before adding to a soup or sauce for the best texture.
Links to More Information
How to Grow Mushrooms In Your Garden (Outdoor Mushroom Beds) | GroCycle https://youtube.com/watch?v=PIYWzfVW-ws&feature=shares
Growing Mushrooms at Home https://namyco.org/growing_mushrooms_at_home.php
Helping the Ecosystem through Mushroom Cultivation https://paulstamets.com/mycorestoration/helping-the-ecosystem-through-mushroom-cultivation
