Sarah Brown
Mushrooms are a kingdom of life all of their own. They are neither animals nor plants, but fungi. They are tasty, nutritious, and can be grown outdoors in your backyard or garden. The easiest mushrooms for beginners to grow are oyster, button, and shiitake mushrooms. The latter two grow especially well on hardwood logs. You can also grow mushrooms outdoors in raised garden beds or in damp straw in shady areas in your garden. The biggest downside to growing mushrooms outdoors is the increased exposure to potential contaminants, such as wild spores in the environment. However, there are ways to reduce the risk of contamination, such as ensuring you pasteurize or sterilize your substrate mixture before inoculation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Advantages | Less costly, less energy-intensive, less plastic waste, less contamination, perennial harvests, enriches soil, feeds wildlife |
| Best mushroom varieties | Wine Cap, Shiitake, Blue Oyster, Pink Oyster, Golden Oyster, Italian Oyster, Snow Oyster, Lion's Mane, Chestnut, Reishi, Nameko, Chicken of the Woods, Hen of the Woods, Blewit, Almond Agaricus, Morel, King Stropharia, Oyster |
| Best substrates | Hardwood woodchips, straw, sawdust spawn, grain spawn, wood chips, leaf litter, straw, sawdust, woodchips, manure |
| Growing methods | Garden beds, logs, containers, mulched beds, totems, reusable containers, mushroom beds |
| Optimal conditions | Varied and regularly changing environment, shaded areas, fertile soil, good drainage, regular watering, partial sun |
| Disadvantages | Increased exposure to potential contaminants, longer growth time |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right species
The next thing to consider is how much time and effort you want to put into growing your mushrooms. If you want a more hands-off approach, growing mushrooms on hardwood logs is a good option. This method requires less maintenance, but you'll need to be patient as it can take up to two years to see evidence of growth. Popular mushroom species that grow well on hardwood logs include King Stropharia, Coprinus comatus, and Stropharia rugoso-annulata.
If you're looking for a more hands-on project that will fruit faster and produce more mushrooms, an outdoor mushroom patch or bed is a better option. This method requires more TLC but can provide a faster return on your work. Popular mushroom species that grow well in outdoor beds include Wine Cap, Oyster, and Almond Agaricus. Oyster mushrooms are a good option for beginners as they are vigorous, adaptable, and can grow on a variety of substrates, including straw, agricultural byproducts, and even invasive species like knotweed. Wine Cap mushrooms can also be grown in beds using a low-tech method, but they prefer denser woody substrates like hardwood wood chips.
In addition to species, you'll also want to consider the substrate you'll be using. Some mushrooms have specific preferences for their growing environment. For example, Oyster mushrooms grow best on straw that has been chopped into small pieces, while King Stropharia mushrooms thrive on hardwood woodchips.
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Preparing the substrate
One popular substrate is hardwood woodchips, which is perfect for growing King Stropharia mushrooms. If you're looking to grow oyster mushrooms, straw is a better option, as they prefer less dense, non-woody substrates. It's important to note that straw should be used instead of hay, as hay contains seed heads that are ripe for contamination and will sprout into weeds. You can soak the straw before use if you wish, either by spraying between layers or watering it all at once after laying it down. Other agricultural byproducts can also be used, such as coffee grounds, or even invasive species like knotweed or autumn olive.
If you're a beginner, it's recommended to start with oyster mushrooms, as they are pretty adaptable in terms of temperature and substrate preference. Another option for beginners is to use hardwood logs, which require less maintenance than an outdoor litter patch.
To reduce the risk of contamination, it's important to pasteurise or sterilise your substrate mixture before inoculation. This is especially important if you live in an area with plenty of trees, as wild spores in the environment can contaminate your mushrooms. Additionally, you should choose a spot that gets some sunshine but is mostly shaded, as direct sunlight will cause the substrate's water content to evaporate quickly.
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Creating a mushroom bed
Choose a Suitable Location:
Select an area in your garden that receives partial sunlight and has some form of shelter from wind and rain. A shaded area is preferable, as direct sunlight can evaporate the substrate's water content. Consider a spot near trees, but ensure the soil is fertile and well-drained to prevent waterlogging.
Prepare the Substrate:
The substrate is the material on which the mushrooms will grow. Popular substrates for outdoor cultivation include hardwood wood chips, straw, sawdust, grain spawn, and even agricultural by-products. The choice of substrate depends on the mushroom species you plan to grow. For example, oyster mushrooms thrive on straw, while King Stropharia mushrooms favour hardwood wood chips. Ensure your substrate is moist, as this is crucial for mushroom growth.
Create the Mushroom Bed:
The design of your mushroom bed can be as basic or sophisticated as you like. A simple method is to create a raised bed using materials such as wood or stone. Fill the bed with your chosen substrate, ensuring it is well-mixed and moist. You can also add a layer of leaf litter on top to provide additional nutrients.
Inoculate with Spawn:
Inoculate your mushroom bed with spawn, which can be in the form of grain spawn or sawdust spawn. This will introduce the mycelium, the vegetative part of the fungus, into the substrate. The mycelium will grow and colonise the substrate, leading to the formation of mushrooms.
Maintenance:
Regularly check on your mushroom bed and keep it hydrated. Watering your patch will promote a healthy colony. You may also need to protect your mushroom bed from pests and critters that may be attracted to it. Additionally, remember to add fresh straw or sawdust annually to nourish the soil and support mushroom growth.
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Growing mushrooms on logs
Growing mushrooms outdoors on logs is a simple process that provides a nutritious and low-impact source of protein over multiple years. It is less costly, less energy-intensive, and produces less plastic waste than indoor cultivation.
To get started, you will need to choose the right type of log and mushroom species. Hardwood logs, such as oak, maple, or beech, are a good option for many mushroom species. If you're a beginner, Oyster mushrooms are a great choice as they are vigorous, adaptable, and meaty in texture and flavour. King Stropharia mushrooms also grow well on hardwood logs.
Once you have your log and have chosen your mushroom species, you will need to purchase or create spawn. Spawn is the mycelium, or fungal network, of the mushroom, and it is what will colonize the log and produce mushrooms. You can purchase spawn online or from specialty stores. Alternatively, you can create your own spawn by purchasing a spawn bag and inoculating it with mushroom spores.
After you have your log and spawn, it's time to inoculate the log. Drill 5/16" holes in the log, space them about 6 inches apart, and then hammer the spawn plugs into the holes. Seal the log with wax to protect the spawn and keep it moist.
Place the log in a shady spot that receives partial sun and has good drainage. Mushrooms grow best in moist, humid environments, so make sure the log doesn't dry out. You can water the log regularly, especially during dry spells, to keep it moist. With some care and patience, your log will soon be producing delicious, homegrown mushrooms!
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Maintaining your mushrooms
The location of your mushroom bed is also key to its maintenance. Mushrooms generally prefer shaded areas with some shelter, and a balance of sunlight and ventilation. You should also ensure the soil is fertile, with good drainage to prevent waterlogging. If growing on logs, you can place them near trees, but be mindful of soil pollution, as fungi can relocate heavy metals from the soil to their fruiting bodies.
To maintain moisture, you should regularly water your mushroom bed or patch. This is especially important during droughts or dry spells. You can also add new straw and/or sawdust to your patch each year to keep it well-fed and build healthy soil.
To reduce the risk of contamination, you should pasteurise or sterilise your substrate mixture before inoculation. This is because outdoor mushroom beds are more exposed to wild spores in the environment. You should also be mindful of critters and slugs, which may be attracted to your mushroom patch.
Finally, remember that mushrooms grow slowly, and a fungal colony can take up to two years to establish. So, be patient and maintain your mushroom bed or patch over time, and you will be rewarded with a healthy, productive colony.
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Frequently asked questions
Oyster, button, and shiitake mushrooms are the easiest for beginners to grow.
You will need a substrate such as straw, sawdust, wood chips, compost, or manure, and mushroom spawn. You will also need a container, such as a bucket, box, or laundry basket, and a damp towel.
First, soak your substrate in water for about five hours, then drain it. Sterilise your container with soapy water and rubbing alcohol. Next, mix the substrate with the spawn and pour the mixture into your container. Place the container in a warm, dark place for the mycelium to colonize the substrate. Water the substrate as needed to prevent it from drying out. After about four weeks, remove the cover and expose the mixture to indirect light, fresh air, and proper temperature and humidity.
Growing mushrooms outdoors can take anywhere from six months to two years.
