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Get Your Shiitake Together: A Homesteading Mama's Guide to Mushroom Cultivation

Writer's picture: Nicole JavadiNicole Javadi

As a homesteading mama on our farm, I'm always looking for new ways to utilize our resources. Recently, we had to cut down some invasive trees, and we didn't want them to go to waste. So, we decided to use them to grow mushrooms!

Growing mushrooms on logs is a great way to utilize resources that you might otherwise discard. Plus, it's a fun activity to do with your kids. My daughter helped me with the fun parts of the project, and we had a blast.


To get started, you'll need to choose which type of mushroom you want to grow. We grew shiitake, lion's mane, and oyster mushrooms, but you can choose whichever type you like. Once you've chosen your mushroom, you'll need to order inoculated plugs, which you'll use to inoculate your logs.


To inoculate your logs, you'll need to drill holes in them and insert the plugs. We used a drill bit that was the same size as the plugs, so they fit snugly in the holes. Once the plugs are in place, you'll need to cover them with beeswax to protect them from the elements.

After you've inoculated your logs, you'll need to wait for the mushrooms to grow. This can take anywhere from six months to two years, depending on the type of mushroom you're growing. During this time, you'll need to keep your logs moist by soaking them in water periodically.


When your mushrooms are ready to harvest, simply cut them off the logs with a knife. You can then use them in all sorts of recipes, from soups and stews to stir-fries and salads.

Growing mushrooms on logs is a fun and rewarding activity that you can do with your kids. Not only will you be able to utilize resources that might otherwise go to waste, but you'll also be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor in the form of delicious, homegrown mushrooms. So, grab some logs, order some inoculated plugs, and get growing!







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