How To Make A Mushroom Log

Well when it comes to growing mushrooms you have a few choices, the first of which is to buy a mushroom kit, these vary from one that requires you to provide your own compost, which can take around 6 to 8 weeks before you get mushrooms, through to kits that include compost that already contains mushroom compost ready to spawn mushrooms – All you do is add water.

Or you be adventurous and try and make a mushroom log. So what is so special about a mushroom log? Well firstly it enables you to grow more specialist mushrooms such as shiitake or oyster mushrooms, which are both expensive to buy in the shops. Unlike a one of the mushroom kits described above which will only crop twice, a mushroom log will give 2 to 3 crops per year for around 5 years.

You can buy mushroom logs online with the mushroom spores already in them, or you can buy mushroom plugs and fit them in to your own log. Either way works just as well, although it can be cheaper to buy the mushroom plugs on their own as that way you minimise shipping costs, as logs are heavy!

To create your mushroom log you need a freshly cut log of around 1 to 3ft in length (depending on how many mushroom plugs you have or how much space you have to store your log) and some mushroom plugs - these are specialist items and are best sourced online. The log can be any wood other than a conifer.

Firstly you have to note that your log needs to be kept damp at all times even in summer, although it also needs to be allowed to breathe. So when you first get your log put it in a plastic bag filled with water, or place it in your water butt for 48 hours.

You then need to drill small holes in it the same diameter as the mushroom plugs you have bought. The mushroom plugs simply need gently tapping in to the log with a mallet. Once this is done then you just need to ensure your log remains damp, and if it looks like drying out then soak it in water overnight. When your log is ready to start spawning mushrooms you will notice White threads of mycelium on the log. Mushrooms will then begin to grow shortly thereafter. Commonly it is towards September as winter approaches that the log goes through this process. The log will then continue to spawn mushrooms for up to 3 week, 2 to 3 times per year. When the mushrooms are of sufficient size cut them off with a knife to harvest them, do not pull them out or you may damage the mushroom plug.

For growing normal button mushrooms the read my guide on how to grow mushrooms, and for a great idea for using mushrooms try our Mushroom Soup Recipe

By Richard Allen -