Outdoor Mushroom Log Growing Kits

Log growing is the slowest way to grow mushrooms and the least work. You drill a fresh hardwood log, hammer in plug spawn, seal the holes with wax, and leave it in the shade. Six to twelve months later it starts fruiting - and then it keeps fruiting each year for four to six years with essentially no maintenance. No sterilizing, no humidity control, no chamber.

How log growing works

1. Cut fresh hardwood 3-8 inches in diameter, 3-4 feet long. Use it within 2-6 weeks - too fresh and the tree's own defences are active, too old and wild fungi got there first.
2. Drill a diamond pattern of holes, roughly 4-6 inches apart along the log and 2 inches between rows.
3. Insert plug spawn and tap flush.
4. Seal with cheese wax to hold moisture in and competitors out.
5. Stack in deep shade, off the ground. Water in dry spells.
6. Wait 6-12 months for colonisation. Shocking a log in cold water can trigger the first flush.

Species and wood

What to skip

• Conifer logs. Resins inhibit most cultivated species - hardwood only.
• Logs from a tree that has been down for months. Wild fungi have already colonised it and you will lose the race.
• Full sun. Logs dry out and the colonisation dies. Deep shade, always.

Frequently asked questions

How long do mushroom logs take to fruit?

Six to twelve months for colonisation depending on species, log size and temperature. After that they fruit annually.

How long does a mushroom log last?

Four to six years, roughly proportional to log diameter. Bigger logs take longer to colonise and produce for longer.

What wood is best for growing mushrooms?

Oak is the general-purpose answer. Maple and beech work well for lion's mane; poplar and willow are good for oysters. Never conifer.

Can I grow mushroom logs indoors?

Not really. Logs need outdoor humidity swings and seasonal temperature cues. Indoors, use a ready-to-fruit block instead.