Sarah Brown
Growing mushrooms outdoors is easy, inexpensive, and can complement your vegetable garden. The mushroom bed method is perfect for people who want to grow mushrooms outside without making a big investment. You can grow some species of mushrooms like the King Stropharia, oyster, shaggy mane, pioppino, or elm mushroom outdoors in a mushroom bed. The location of your mushroom bed directly impacts your success. Mushrooms prefer environments that mimic natural woodland settings, which means shade and moisture control are key factors. Areas under trees, near shrubs, or along fences that receive filtered sunlight are ideal. You can simply build raised beds with standard lumber or use logs inoculated with other mushroom species as your framing lumber.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ease | Easy and inexpensive |
| Equipment | No special equipment required |
| Yield | Higher yield than indoor setups |
| Location | Shady, moist areas with good drainage |
| Climate | May not thrive in your area's climate |
| Pests | May attract pests like squirrels and rodents |
| Disease | Susceptible to mould, mildew and disease |
| Contamination | Use pasteurized or sterilized substrate |
| Types of mushrooms | Wine Caps, King Stropharia, Oyster, Shaggy Mane, Pioppino, Elm |
| Growing medium | Wood chips, straw, cardboard, spawn, manure, compost |
| Watering | Keep moist but not waterlogged |
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What You'll Learn
Choose the right mushroom type for your bed
Choosing the right type of mushroom to grow is a critical step in preparing a mushroom bed. There are thousands of varieties to choose from, so it is important to do your research and select a type that suits your needs and preferences.
Some popular mushroom varieties that can be grown in outdoor beds include King Stropharia (also known as Wine Caps or garden giants), oyster mushrooms, shaggy mane, pioppino, and elm mushrooms. King Stropharia mushrooms are an excellent choice for beginners as they grow well on wood chip beds. Wine Caps are also a premier choice for outdoor beds due to their hardiness and ability to grow in simple woodland-like conditions. They can even tolerate up to 50% conifers in your mix, although freshly cut wood chips are ideal.
If you're looking for a versatile and fast-growing option, oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus spp.) are a great choice. They commonly thrive on hardwood chips, straw, or a mix of both. You can soak the substrate for a few hours to fully hydrate it before setting up the bed. Oyster mushrooms typically flush 45-60 days after inoculation, depending on the climate.
Another option is to create a log-cabin-style bed frame out of logs inoculated with reishi mushrooms and fill it with compost to grow almond portobellos. Reishi logs require soil contact to fruit, while almond portobellos only grow in compost.
When selecting a location for your mushroom bed, keep in mind that mushrooms prefer environments that mimic natural woodland settings. Shade and moisture control are key factors, so choose an area under trees, near shrubs, or along fences that receive filtered sunlight. Avoid locations with prolonged exposure to high sunlight, as this can dry out the mycelium. Good drainage is also essential to prevent waterlogged substrates and mould growth.
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Prepare the substrate
The substrate is the growing medium for your mushrooms. Mushrooms thrive in environments that mimic natural woodland settings, so shade and moisture control are key factors.
Wine Caps, also known as King Stropharia or garden giants, are a premier choice for outdoor mushroom beds due to their hardiness and ability to grow in simple woodland-like conditions. They can grow on a variety of substrates, including hardwood chips, straw, cardboard, and even sawdust. If you're using cardboard, line the bottom of your bed with it to help retain moisture and suppress weeds. If you're using wood chips, start with a layer of organic substrate on the ground (3-6 inches deep), then sprinkle your mushroom spawn over it. Top it with water and add another layer of substrate, repeating the process.
Oyster mushrooms are another versatile and fast-growing variety that can thrive on hardwood chips or straw. To prepare the substrate for Oyster mushrooms, soak it for a few hours to fully hydrate it before setting up the bed. Once your substrate is ready, mix the sawdust spawn throughout the layers or scatter grain spawn on top, working it into the surface to ensure even inoculation.
If you're using straw or hay as your substrate, you can use it to suppress weeds and protect the substrate. Adding a layer of plastic mesh or lightweight fencing can also help prevent small animals like squirrels or birds from digging into your project.
For all mushroom varieties, it's critical to use hardwoods (such as oak or maple) as a base material since softwoods may impede the fungus's growth. Make sure to avoid any wood chips that have been treated with chemicals.
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Create a first layer of wood chips
To create a first layer of wood chips, start by preparing the ground. Clear out any plants or debris until you get to bare ground. Wine Caps, for example, like to be in contact with the soil. You can create a raised garden bed and line it with cardboard to help keep in the moisture and suppress weeds.
Next, you'll want to create a first layer of wood chips on top of the cardboard. You can use all kinds of shredded wood chips or garden mulch, but avoid wood chips that have been treated with chemicals. For Wine Caps, it's critical to use hardwoods (such as oak or maple) as a base material since softwoods may impede the fungus's growth. If possible, look for freshly cut chips to give your mushrooms a leg up on any microbial competition.
For the first layer, you can aim for a depth of around 3-6 inches. You can even combine wood chips with sawdust—just be sure to avoid large pieces of wood as these take longer to colonize and can create too much air space in the bed.
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Add spawn and more layers
Once you've prepared the base of your mushroom bed, it's time to add the spawn and subsequent layers. The spawn is the small pieces of established mycelium that will help your mushrooms grow. You'll need to select the right type of spawn for the mushrooms you want to grow. For example, Wine Caps thrive on hardwood chips, straw, or cardboard, whereas Oyster mushrooms commonly thrive on hardwood chips or straw.
To start, create a first layer of wood chips on top of the cardboard that you've laid down. You can use all kinds of shredded wood chips or garden mulch, but avoid wood chips that have been treated with chemicals. On top of this first layer of wood chips, you'll create alternating layers of mushroom spawn and wood chips. Spread your spawn evenly across the entire surface of the bed and then add another layer of wood chips on top. You want to sandwich the spawn between layers of wood chips, which will act as food for the spawn to grow and produce mushrooms.
Continue creating alternating layers of spawn and wood chips until you've used up all your materials. Be sure to follow any recommendations from your spawn purveyor for depth—generally, mushroom beds are shallower than vegetable beds. After you've added your final layer of wood chips, top the whole thing off with a thick layer of straw. The straw will help to insulate your mushroom bed, keeping it from drying out, and it will also help to conserve any rainfall or water that falls on it.
Finally, give the entire bed a good soaking with water. You want to emulate a forest floor—a damp but breathable environment. It's important to keep your mushroom bed consistently moist, but be careful not to overwater, as excess moisture can hinder growth and lead to waterlogged substrates or promote mould growth.
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Water and maintain the bed
Watering and maintaining your mushroom bed is essential for successful mushroom growth. Mushrooms thrive in moist environments, so it is important to water them regularly and ensure that the bed remains damp but not waterlogged. Water directly onto the base of the bed rather than onto the mushrooms themselves, as this can cause damage. You can achieve this by using a watering can or garden hose to provide consistent moisture without over-saturating the bed.
To maintain the ideal moisture level, you can add a layer of mulch, straw, or hay on top of the bed. This layer will help to retain moisture, conserve rainfall or water, and provide insulation during colder months. Additionally, consider investing in a moisture meter to accurately monitor the moisture levels in your mushroom bed. This will help you ensure that your mushrooms receive the optimal amount of water.
Another important aspect of maintaining your mushroom bed is contamination prevention. Outdoor beds are more resistant to disease and pests, but contamination can still occur. To reduce contamination risks, use a mushroom substrate that has been pasteurized or sterilized before inoculating it with mushroom spawn. Adding a layer of plastic mesh or lightweight fencing can also help prevent small animals from digging into your mushroom bed.
Regular monitoring of your mushroom bed is crucial. Keep an eye out for any signs of disease, pests, or mould growth, especially if the environment is not ideal. Mushrooms can be susceptible to these issues, so early detection is essential. Additionally, monitor your mushroom bed for signs of growth. Depending on the variety, mushrooms may take a few days to several weeks before they are ready for harvest. Harvesting at the right time will ensure the best flavour.
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Frequently asked questions
Outdoor mushroom beds are easy and inexpensive, and can complement your vegetables and plants. They are more resistant to disease and pests than indoor systems, and can produce a higher yield.
The mushrooms may not thrive in your area’s climate, especially if they are not native to the region. Outdoor mushroom beds can also attract pests such as squirrels and rodents. Mushrooms grown outdoors can be susceptible to mould, mildew, and disease if the environment is not ideal.
Mushrooms prefer environments that mimic natural woodland settings, so shade and moisture control are key factors. Areas under trees, near shrubs, or along fences that receive filtered sunlight (direct sunlight for only a few hours) are ideal.
You can use wood chips, a bag of spawn, and straw or hay to suppress weeds and protect the substrate. You can also add a layer of plastic mesh or lightweight fencing to prevent small animals from digging into your project.
