Learn how to grow your very own shiitake mushrooms on freshly cut logs! This hands-on workshop will guide you through the fascinating process of cultivating mushrooms naturally, just as they grow in the wild. Whether you’re a beginner or a mushroom enthusiast, this workshop is for you.
You’ll get to prepare and inoculate your own log, and if you choose, take it home to enjoy years of gourmet mushroom harvests right from your backyard.
What's covered?
- The mushroom lifecycle: Discover how shiitake mushrooms grow—from spores to the delicious mushrooms you’ll harvest for years to come.
- Selecting and preparing logs: Learn how to choose the right type of wood and prepare it for inoculation. We’ll be working with freshly cut oak logs, ideal for shiitake cultivation.
- Inoculating logs: Hands-on experience drilling holes, inserting pre-inoculated dowels, and sealing them with wax to create the perfect environment for mushrooms to thrive.
- Caring for your logs: Understand how to care for your logs to ensure successful mushroom growth. Learn about watering schedules, protecting the logs from drying out, and refreshing them with an overnight soak if needed.
Why mushrooms?
- Long-term harvests: A single shiitake log can produce mushrooms for up to 7 years!
- Seasonal fruiting: Mushrooms will fruit during autumn and winter months when conditions are right.
- Low maintenance: Once inoculated, logs require minimal care—just regular watering and protection from direct sunlight.
- Natural process: Growing mushrooms on logs closely mimics their natural habitat, making it a sustainable and rewarding method.
- You’ll take home: At least one shiitake log that you inoculate yourself (if purchasing).
What to bring: Wear old clothes, bring a water bottle and notebook, and get ready to get hands-on! This workshop is perfect for anyone who loves learning about nature, sustainable gardening practices, or simply enjoys eating delicious mushrooms!
Cost is $60 covering costs with donation to garden activities.