GROW HEALTHY FOOD

HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES

HEALTHY EATING HABITS

EATING HEALTHY FOOD

PRESERVING FOOD VALUE

ABOUT GROWING RAW HEALTH

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Mushroom Logs

For longer term mushroom production, choose a mushroom log kit. Mushroom logs can be kept indoors, but are mostly placed outdoors in a shady spot where they will be kept moist. This is an easy and low maintenance method of producing mushrooms for 3-5 years. Log mushroom growing kits should produce more than a kilogram of mushrooms.

What types of mushrooms can I grow in a log?

Shitake mushroom logs and oyster mushroom logs are the most common. Shiitake mushrooms are really high in protein and are excellent immune system strengtheners, even having cancer-fighting properties. Oyster mushrooms are also high in protein (25%) and are excellent in stir-fries. shiitake mushroom log

How do mushroom logs work?

Logs are inoculated with mushroom spawn. This means that wooden plugs covered with mycelium have been injected into the log, and then covered over with a wax seal to prevent drying out as the mycelium grows into the log. This ‘spawn run’ takes 1-2 years. They can be shocked into fruiting by immersing them in cold water for 24-48 hours. If you leave mushroom logs outside to fruit naturally they may take longer to produce their first mushrooms but they can sprout for many years.

Log mushroom growing kit basic instructions

Immerse the log in pure, cold water for 48 hours.
Cover loosely with plastic to encourage humidity. Keep log damp. If you’re moving your log outside place it in a sheltered shady position.
Log should start fruiting within 1-3 weeks. Remove plastic once fruiting starts.

Where to keep your mushroom log

If you’re keeping your mushroom log outside select a shaded that is sheltered from the wind. Make sure your log stays damp, ideally it should receive frequent rain. Protect your mushroom log from dogs, cats and slugs. If possible put it where you can see it and won’t forget about it!

Harvesting

If you cut the mushrooms off the log so you have a better chance of further harvest. If you have to pull them off, be gentle.

After harvest, leave the log to ‘rest’ outside in damp place for 2-3 months as the mycelium extracts more nutrients from the log. After resting, re-soak the log encourage fruiting to recommence. Logs will continue to fruit if left alone as long as the weather is appropriate but this is not as reliable or predictable as restarting fruiting with a cold soaking. Mushroom logs will usually fruit in Spring and Autumn unless you shock them into fruiting. Logs can fruit for up to 5 years, although 3-4 years is average.

Tips

Check if you are buying logs that have completed the spawn run and are at the point of fruiting, or whether you need to wait for up to two years for mushrooms.
Look for a kit that comes with a soaking tray, wet logs can make a mess!
Mushroom growing kits should be removed from packaging as soon as possible, or they go mouldy.
Mushroom logs can be kept indoors given the right light and temperature conditions.
Many mushroom log sellers offer a ‘guarantee to produce’ – check for this when purchasing your mushroom log.

Click here for more information on basic mushroom growing kits.

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