John Miller
Mushroom cultivation is a fun and rewarding hobby that can be done year-round, depending on the climate and growing conditions. For outdoor growers, the ideal time to start cultivating mushrooms is in late winter or early spring, when trees have higher sugar concentrations. This timing ensures that the logs used for cultivation are packed with nutrients to support mushroom growth. In regions with mild winters, fall is also an excellent time to start preparing mushroom projects, as the cool, wet conditions are ideal for mycelial growth and can lead to earlier fruiting in the following year.
For those cultivating mushrooms using plugs, it is essential to choose the right type of log and maintain optimal conditions for growth. Plugs are small wooden dowels colonized with mushroom mycelium, the mushroom's 'root' network. By drilling holes into freshly cut logs and hammering the plugs into place, growers can create the ideal environment for mushrooms to thrive.
With careful management and the right growing conditions, each log can produce a bountiful yield of mushrooms, providing a rewarding experience for both novice and experienced growers alike.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best time of year to inoculate logs with mushroom plugs | Late winter, after the last frost date in your local area |
| Best mushroom species to start with | Oyster mushrooms, Shiitake |
| Logs required | Hardwood logs (white oak, red oak, poplar, maple, birch, beech, etc.), 4-10 inches in diameter and 2-5 feet long |
| Drilling holes | Drill holes with a 5/16 drill bit, spaced 4-5 inches apart and 1+ inch deep along the log |
| Number of plugs | A 4-inch diameter log needs 6 rows and about 40-50 plugs; a 5-inch diameter log needs 7 rows; a 6-inch diameter log needs 9 rows |
| Inoculation time | Logs should be inoculated within a month or two of being cut down |
| Fruiting time | Mushrooms fruit in the spring and fall when temperatures are cool (50-75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day); logs generally begin producing 6 months to 1 year after inoculation |
| Harvesting time | Late winter or early spring, before bud swell |
| Region | Milder climates, such as the West Coast and the South, are ideal for year-round mushroom cultivation |
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What You'll Learn
The best time to plug logs is February and March
Logs should be recently cut (within the month) from a disease-free tree. The best types of logs to use are hardwood logs such as white oak, red oak, poplar, maple, birch, and beech. Logs should be four to six inches in diameter and two to three feet long. It is important to avoid using logs that have been outside for longer than a month, as they may be colonized by a native fungus, or have bark damage, which can inhibit mushroom growth due to water loss.
To plug the logs, drill holes with a 5/16 drill bit, spaced four to five inches apart and one inch deep. The holes should be staggered, with rows one to two inches apart. Hammer the plugs into the holes so that they are flush with the surface. Cover the plugs with cheese wax to create a tight seal and prevent drying out.
It is important to note that the timing of mushroom production depends on temperature and rainfall. With careful management, each log should produce around two pounds of mushrooms over its lifetime, which can be up to six years.
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Harvest trees in fall or winter when sugar concentration is highest
Harvesting trees in fall or winter is a strategic move to take advantage of higher sugar concentrations in the trees. In autumn, sugar maple trees, for instance, slow down their chlorophyll production, and the remaining sugar in the leaves combines with other substances, resulting in the vibrant red and gold colours of fall foliage. After the leaves drop, the sugar is stored in the roots for the winter. Therefore, harvesting trees in the fall or winter ensures that the logs have higher sugar concentrations, which is beneficial for mushroom cultivation.
The ideal time to inoculate logs with mushroom plugs is in late winter, when logs have higher sugar concentrations. However, it is important to note that some mushroom species are more delicate and should be inoculated after the last frost date in your local area. For example, Shiitake mushrooms require their logs to be "shocked" by submerging them in cool water for 24-48 hours to simulate their native monsoon habitat. After about a week, mushroom buds will emerge, and they will grow to maturity in another one to two weeks.
Oyster mushrooms, on the other hand, can be started before the last frost and will produce mushrooms from spring to fall. They have a shorter incubation period, so planting them in late winter could lead to fruiting by fall of the same year. When it comes to cutting logs for mushroom cultivation, it is recommended to do so either in the winter for spring inoculation or after July 15 for midsummer or fall inoculation. If you cut logs during the summer, it is crucial to inoculate them within three weeks to ensure adequate moisture content.
While you can successfully plug logs all year round, February and March are considered ideal months due to the weather and sap run. Temperatures during this time support the growth of mycelium while inhibiting the growth of competing organisms like bacteria. Additionally, the high incidence of rainfall during late winter and spring is beneficial for the growth of the mycelium.
In conclusion, harvesting trees in the fall or winter, when sugar concentration is highest, provides an optimal starting point for mushroom cultivation. By taking advantage of the natural sugar cycles of trees and utilising the right techniques for specific mushroom species, you can successfully inoculate logs with mushroom plugs and enjoy fruitful yields.
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Prepare projects for spring in fall
Mushroom cultivation can be a year-round activity, but preparing in the fall has its advantages. The cool, wet conditions of fall are ideal for mycelial growth, and starting logs in the fall extends incubation time, so logs may start fruiting sooner the following growing season.
Harvesting and Inoculating Logs
Logs should be harvested in the fall or winter when their leaves have fallen and their sugar concentration is highest. Once they've been cut down, the logs should be inoculated as soon as possible—no later than a month or two after. The longer you wait, the more opportunity there is for other mushroom species to populate them. If you're growing mushrooms for the first time, shiitakes are the best place to start. To get shiitake to fruit, you'll want to "'shock' your logs first. Submerge them in cool water for 24-48 hours to simulate the natural monsoon conditions of the shiitake's native habitat.
Drilling and Plugging Logs
Drill holes with a 5/16 drill bit, spaced 4-5 inches apart and 1+ inch deep along the log, add staggered rows 1-2 inches apart. Hammer the plugs into the holes so that they are flush with the surface. Cover the plugs with cheese wax to create a tight seal.
Caring for Inoculated Logs
Inoculated logs should be placed in a shady place out of the wind and maintained in an environment above 40% moisture. If you live in a snowy region, you can stack logs close to the ground and cover them with a thick layer of dry leaves or blankets to keep them from freezing. Logs should not remain indoors for more than a month to avoid issues like drying out or developing mould.
Timing of Mushroom Production
The timing of mushroom production depends on temperature and rainfall. Most mushroom varieties are perennial crops that can be planted throughout the growing season, starting as soon as outside daytime temperatures reach 40°F or higher. For growers in warmer climates, this may mean planting throughout most of the year. For northern growers, plant as early in the season as possible once temperatures are consistently above 60°F to maximize production.
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Inoculate logs in late winter or early spring
The best time to inoculate logs with mushroom plugs is in late winter or early spring, specifically in February and March. At this time of year, logs have higher concentrations of sugar, which is important for the growth of mushrooms. The roots return nutrients up to the tops of the trees to facilitate the production of new leaves. These sugars will feed the mushroom mycelium.
In addition, the weather conditions in late winter and early spring are ideal for keeping the mycelium happy and growing. The high incidence of rainfall is key, and the cool, wet conditions of fall are also beneficial for mycelial growth. The ideal temperature for mycelium growth is around 50°F, which is the average temperature in February and March. These temperatures will support mycelium growth while keeping the growth of other organisms in check.
When preparing logs for inoculation, it is recommended to harvest the trees in the fall or winter, when their leaves have fallen and their sugar concentration is highest. The logs should be inoculated as soon as possible after being cut down—no later than a month or two afterward. Logs should be four to ten inches in diameter and two to five feet long.
To inoculate the logs, drill holes with a 5/16 drill bit, spaced four to five inches apart and one inch deep along the log. Stagger the rows one to two inches apart. Hammer the plugs into the holes so that they are flush with the surface. Cover the plugs with cheese wax to create a tight seal.
Some species of mushrooms are more delicate and need to be inoculated after the last frost date in your local area. For example, Shiitake mushrooms need to be shocked by being submerged in cool water for 24-48 hours to simulate the monsoon conditions of their native habitat.
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Fall inoculation leads to earlier fruiting
The ideal time to plant mushrooms depends on whether they are being grown indoors or outdoors. Outdoor growing is more dependent on the seasons and the weather. For outdoor growing, the best time of year to inoculate logs with mushroom plugs is in the late winter, when the logs have higher concentrations of sugar. However, fall inoculation can lead to earlier fruiting the following year.
For growers in warmer climates, planting can be done throughout most of the year. For growers in cooler climates, it is best to plant in the spring or early summer to speed up the time from planting to picking. In general, logs should be inoculated within a month or two of being cut down. The longer they've been down, the more opportunity for other mushroom species to populate them.
For those in mild climates, such as the West Coast and the South of the United States, mushroom cultivation can be a year-round endeavour. In these regions, the cool, wet conditions of fall are ideal for mycelial growth. Starting logs in the fall extends the incubation time, so logs may start fruiting sooner the following growing season.
For novice mushroom growers, it is recommended to start with shiitake plugs. These grow best on white and red oak but can be grown on most hardwoods. To get shiitake to fruit, you need to "'shock' your logs by submerging them in cool water for 24-48 hours to simulate the natural monsoon conditions of their native habitat.
In general, mushrooms fruit in the spring and fall when temperatures are cool. Logs generally begin producing 6 months to 1 year after inoculation and will usually continue to fruit once or twice a year for up to 4 years.
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Frequently asked questions
The best time of year to inoculate logs with mushroom plugs is late winter, when logs have higher sugar concentrations. However, some species are more delicate and need to be inoculated after the last frost date in your area. For example, in East Tennessee, February and March are the best times due to the weather and sap run.
Logs generally begin producing mushrooms 6 months to 1 year after inoculation. However, this depends on the mushroom variety, with some species taking up to 2 years. For example, Shiitake mushrooms have a longer incubation period and may take 9 months to 2 years.
First, drill holes in the logs with a 5/16 drill bit, spaced 4-5 inches apart and 1+ inch deep. Then, hammer the mushroom plugs into the holes and cover them with cheese wax.
