A few hardwood logs can become a small, long-lasting mushroom garden. The process looks technical when written out, but it comes down to drilling holes, adding shiitake plugs, sealing them, and letting the fungus colonize the wood.

Grow shiitake on logs

Start with recently cut hardwood logs with intact bark. Oak is ideal, although other suitable hardwoods can work. Drill holes in an offset diamond pattern, tap an inoculated plug into each hole, and seal the openings with food-grade wax.

Follow the step-by-step shiitake guide

Choose the right timing

Shiitake logs are best inoculated during warm weather, after freezing conditions have passed and at least a couple of months before the first freeze. Do not leave cut logs sitting too long before inoculation because competing fungi can move in.

Keep the logs healthy

Store inoculated logs off the ground in a shaded, moist location. Water during dry periods and avoid wrapping them in plastic, which can encourage mold.

The fungus usually needs 9-12 months to establish before the logs are intentionally soaked to trigger fruiting. Once mature, the logs can produce mushrooms for several years.

See the complete growing timeline

Harvest and cook

After fruiting, harvest shiitakes at the size you prefer. Put them gill-side up in the sun for a few hours to significantly boost their vitamin D content. Cook them thoroughly, and try a small portion the first time you eat any new mushroom.

Here’s to growing food in unexpected places, Aaron & Susan

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Tyrant Farms may earn from qualifying purchases made through the product links above, at no additional cost to you.