Come down-to-earth with mushrooms! This year we are introducing some exciting new species from the Kingdom Fungi to our table of fare. bonanza

Below is the incomplete inoculation walkthrough to grow Shiitake mushrooms on natural, uncontaminated logs, but I would also watch a tutorial video to demonstrate the process. If you like science and tools , this is the project for you.

1) We selected nine, dormant, recently felled White Oak, Maple and Sassafras logs as the substrate of choice to propagate Shiitake mushrooms.

2) These 4″x40″ logs were inoculated with mycelium tissue by first drilling nineteen holes into each log with an angle grinder outfitted with a 12mm drill bit with stop,

3) and then sealed the inoculation sites with household wax using a wax dauber.

4) Finally, the logs were stacked in a shady spot at 75°F.

It will take approximately 6-9 months to fully colonize each log. Following this incubation period, logs can be left to fruit naturally, typically yielding a total of 2-4 lbs of mushrooms, and is capable of fruiting about a dozen times over a 4-8 year period before becoming spent.

Mushrooms are decomposers and colonize every cell of the ill-equipped host, whereas plants are producers, and humans are consumers.

We’re so hoppy to be part of this rotting world!

Urban Community Life